Mots du Jour: Pivot

It is almost impossible to watch any discussion or heated argument on CNN or MSNBC about American politics without hearing the word “pivot” used rather often.  It is a noun, but most often, a verb.

The word is used by the pundits to describe a change in attitude, language, political strategy.  For example, "Ted Cruz is pivoting from his position on annihilating crustaceans in burkas."

Merriam Webster offers up these helpful definitions. 
  

1.       1 :  a shaft or pin on which something turns

2.       2 a :  a person, thing, or factor having a major or central role, function, or effect b :  a key player or position; specifically :  an offensive position of a basketball player standing usually with back to the basket to relay passes, shoot, or provide a screen for teammates

3.       3 :  the action of pivoting; especially :  the action in basketball of stepping with one foot while keeping the other foot at its point of contact with the floor

If we take this literally, it means that he has one foot on the floor while trying to maneuver himself and the ball into a more favorable offensive position.  Still being offensive, of course.

Don't worry, I don't mean to single out Ted Cruz, because pivot is a word used for almost anyone or anything that goes on in this election. 

The word does, arguably, well-describe the American political process, which is quite a nasty, high stakes, contact sport.

From my limited knowledge of basketball, I have discerned that pivoting involves quite a range of degrees around where someone is pivoting to score and it usually involves teamwork.  Not so in politics. 

Usually in a basketball game, pivots involve a lot of sonic squeaks because of the interaction of rubber-soled sneakers on waxed wood floors.   But in the metaphorical world you can pivot without a squeak and you have to be told about the pivot by an expert on one of the television stations.

Back in the shoot-‘em-up days, we called many of these things “flip-flops”, denigrating the rubber and foam creations we wear during vacations or during the Tet Offensive. 

Pivot seems like a nice comfortable word to use when all hell is breaking loose; suggesting sanity and control.

The problem is that too much pivoting is going to make you dizzy.   I daresay it would be a bad idea to pivot in flip-flops.  But it can be done.   It’s American politics.