修辞学中的情感用词变化(英语:Emotive conjugation),是一种不规则动词的变位,目的是粉饰人类的癖好,把自己同样的行为描述得比别人更好。1948年哲学家伯特兰·罗素首次在BBC广播节目The Brains Trust中提出了此概念,因此也称作罗素用词变化。罗素在节目中举了这些例子:
I am firm, You are obstinate, He is a pig-headed fool.
I am righteously indignant, you are annoyed, he is making a fuss over nothing.
I have reconsidered the matter, you have changed your mind, he has gone back on his word.
可以像扣帽子的情感用词变化,通过含糊一个争论的谬论错误支持某观点。这种用词结构也是一种幽默,英国广播公司电视情景喜剧《是,首相》中的伯纳德·伍利这样说:
It's one of those irregular verbs, isn't it?
I have an independent mind, You are eccentric, He is round the twist.
That's another of those irregular verbs, isn't it?
I give confidential press briefings; you leak; he's being charged under section 2A of the Official Secrets Act.