In English grammar, an adverb used to give force or emphasis is called an intensifier. An example would be the adverb strongly in the sentence “I strongly disagree.”
With that in mind, listen carefully as you watch a short video of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice during a press conference on Monday addressing the state’s plan to reopen its economy amid the declining but still potentially deadly coronavirus pandemic.
In his remarks, the governor appears to say businesses must “f*cking follow the guidelines” set by the state if they are to reopen:
I encourage all businesses that are allowed to open to do so only if they [expletive deleted] follow the guidelines to keep West Virginians safe.
The second part is the governor’s attempt to persuade listeners not to believe their lyin’ ears:
Today at our news briefing there was an audio glitch. And it sounded like that I had said a bad word. A word that I would never say nor have I ever said. No possibility in any way, shape, form or fashion.
i can not stop laughing. the governor’s “audio glitch” explanation is so, so good 🤣 pic.twitter.com/B0PjFvPK8u
— j.d. durkin (@jd_durkin) May 5, 2020
Market Watch’s Shawn Langlois refuses to give Justice the benefit of the doubt but condones the curse on the grounds that “it’s got to be frustrating to try to get everybody on the same page. He would surely be forgiven for such language, considering some of the behavior around the country.”
I’m inclined to agree.
