History Main / BlackmailIsSuchAnUglyWord

->''"Blackmail's such an ugly word. I prefer 'extortion'. The 'X' makes it sound cool."''
-->-- '''Bender''', ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'', "[[Recap/FuturamaS2E16AnthologyOfInterestI Anthology of Interest I]]"

* In ''Series/{{Galavant}}'', Isabella complains about her [[GildedCage imprisonment]] to her parents. His mother insists that it's not a prison, before banging on the wall so the guard can let her out.

* Subversion: In ''Series/JeevesAndWooster'', Bertie gets blackmailed by Stiffy, and sets her up for the line as such: "Are you ''blackmailing'' me?" Even though most of the characters can be rather verbose, she just looks at him for a moment and replies with a simple "[[BluntYes Yes.]]"

->''"'Blackmail''s such an ugly word. I prefer 'extortion'. The 'X' makes it sound cool."''

->''"'Blackmail' is an ugly word. I prefer 'extortion'. The 'X' makes it sound cool."''

* In ''Film/BackToTheFuturePartIII'', as Doc Brown is unveiling his plan of returning Marty back 1985 (as he went to 1885 to presumably rescue Doc), he starts to say "We're going to hijack...", before freezing, immediately correcting himself and placing emphasis on new terminology with a wide, toothy grin, "'''''BORROW'''''... the locomotive..."
** Later, when the '''''borrowing''''' is taking place, the conductor asks if it's a hold-up. Doc responds that "it's a science experiment."
** In ''Film/BackToTheFuturePartII'', Doc also "borrowed" some old newspapers from the closed-down Hill Valley Library in 1985-A.

** ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'', after Spock opts not to inform Starfleet of their plan to rescue Kirk from Rura Penthe:

* In the ''Series/FamilyMatters'' episode "False Arrest", Carl is confronted by Buddy Goodrich, a celebrity whom he'd arrested earlier in the episode for assault. Goodrich tries to talk Carl out of putting him on trial because he could simply have his assistant lie to the jury to counter any bad press that would come from the incident. Carl, of course, is having none of it:

* This is an almost character-defining trope for Sir Humphrey Appleby of ''Series/YesMinister'', who usually merges it with spectacular SesquipedalianLoquaciousness.

* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'' includes a variation in "Bucket Sweet Bucket".

A subtrope of DistinctionWithoutADifference and InsistentTerminology. Compare ProtectionRacket, IsThatAThreat, TechnicalEuphemism, and UnusualEuphemism.

-->'''Sojiro''': So that's what you're after?! Using Futaba as a bargaining chip for money?\\
'''Youji''': It's not good to assume things like that.

-->'''Commander Hai''': This is an emergency. Many lives are at stake. Your charter allows for action now.\\
'''Misato''': Indeed.\\

'''Commander Hai''': What is your price?\\
'''Misato''': Information. On where the other Evas are being built. All of them.\\
'''Commander Hai''': You can't expect us to know all that. And what makes you think..\\
'''Misato''': ..that you would know? [...] That thing was built in Lop Nor. Using technology from SEELE and Chinese military resources. I'm sure this will be an interesting revelation before the UN Organs and the world media...\\
'''Commander Hai''': That's blackmail!\\
'''Misato''': I'm also perfectly happy to let this thing continue its grand tour through your heartland and population centres. I don't have to do anything until the UN to get its paperwork done or until it reaches Japan itself...

** It is also a shout-out to every show that ever said blackmail was interchangeable with extortion - and by this page, you can see there are quite a number of them.

-->'''Harry''': You think you blackmailed me!\\
'''Jonathan''': Harry, that's a horrid word.

-->'''Baroness''': Do you realize that this is blackmail?\\
'''Karl''': That's just the word I was trying to remember.

'''Cage''': I would prefer...not to be filming acts of heroism and valor on that beach tomorrow.

--> '''Protagonist''': If you and I were to make an arrangement…\\
'''Kat''': An arrangement? You mean blackmail? You can’t be afraid of the word.

* In the Creator/TamoraPierce novel ''[[Literature/ProtectorOfTheSmall Lady Knight]]'', Kel has decided to [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight commit treason]] [[HonorBeforeReason to save refugees]] and is angered when she finds people willing to help - they'll get charged, same as her. One of them teasingly says she won't get to use the potentially very helpful maps he brought unless they come with her.

-->'''Caryn''': You know, Dr. Solomon, this could be interpreted as blackmail.\\
'''Dick''': No, Caryn, it's extortion.

-->'''Wayne Meyerson''': Wait. Are you ''blackmailing'' me?\\
'''Jesse''': Yeah. But... let's not call it that. Let's call it 'a potential win-win'.

-->'''Player''': Are you suggesting extortion?\\
'''Silas''': ''That's'' the word! "Extortion"! Been on the tip of my tongue all day.

--->'''Etarre''': Why, I'm sure you'll give us such wonderful trade terms, I'll forget all about it [the sensitive information]!\\
'''Vree''': But- But that's BLACKMAIL!\\
'''Etarre''': [[BrutalHonesty Oh wonderful, we understand each other perfectly!]]

-->'''Mr. X''': Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer ripoff.

-->'''Kasino''': You want to.... ''murder'' Jadina?\\
'''Invidia''': Oh, let's not use such words! I am merely talking about luring her in a situation that will result in her death.\\
'''Kasino''': THAT'S EXACTLY THE SAME THING!

-->'''Gwen''': You want me to ''lie'' to Cody?\\
'''Alejandro''': Lying us such a strong word. I prefer flirting to your own advantage.

-->'''[[DefiantCaptive Lianne]]''': This is tyranny!\\
'''Shen''': It is [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans domination]].

-->'''Rourke''': Mercenary? I prefer the term "adventure capitalist."

-->'''Senator [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thruston_Ballard_Morton Thruston B. Morton]]''': We've put over three million of them into what I would call a concentration camp. They call it a "refugee center".

-->'''Nemo''': I'd prefer a less provocative title.\\
'''Quatermain''': [[DeadpanSnarker I'm sure you would.]]

-->'''Will''': We're going to steal a ship? [looks at the ''Dauntless''] ''That'' ship?\\
'''Jack''': ''Commandeer''; nautical term. We're going to commandeer...''that'' ship. [points at the ''Interceptor'']

--->'''Saavik''': You lied.\\
'''Spock''': I exaggerated.
** ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'', after Spock opted not to inform Starfleet of their plan to rescue Kirk from Rura Penthe:
--->'''Valeris''': A lie?\\
'''Spock''': An omission.

---->'''Valeris''': I do not remember.\\
'''Spock''': A lie.\\
'''Valeris''': A choice.

--->'''Spock''': How did you persuade him to keep your secret?\\
'''Spock Prime''': He inferred that universe-ending paradoxes would ensue should he break his promise.\\
'''Spock''': You lied.\\
'''Spock Prime''': I... implied.

* In the German version of ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'', Demyx responds to WesternAnimation/{{Goofy}} accusing him of being a thief with "Dieb – was für ein hässliches Wort!", meaning "Thief – what an ugly word!".

* ''[[ComicBook/{{Batman}} Joker's Asylum]]: The Riddler'':

* The novel ''[[http://stores.lulu.com/arkle And Here's To You]]'' has main female character Alicia Mitchell use this exact line on a co-worker at an office party. Partially Justified by the character's internal monologue revealing that she was directly quoting Bender from ''Futurama'' when she did so.

* The horse is not yet completely dead: played 100% straight in the 2009 Creator/JohnGrisham book ''The Associate''.

* Inverted -- very strangely -- in Creator/HughLaurie's novel ''The Gun Seller'':

* Averted in the ''Cross-Time Engineer'' series by Creator/LeoFrankowski. When Count Lambert tries to force Conrad Stargard into an ArrangedMarriage with his daughter, Conrad erupts, "But this is filthy, rotten blackmail!" Count Lambert replies, "Yes it is, isn't it."

'''Dr. Big:''' ''Geisteskrank'' is such an ''ugly'' word.!

-->-- '''Bender''', ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}''

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'', "Anthology of Interest I"

* Inverted in the Z-Man Productions card game ''Bell-Bottomed Badasses on the Mean Streets of Funk''. "Extortion is such an ugly word. Me & the brothas prefer ''black''mail".

** In the episode where Hawkeye and BJ get named morale officers, Klinger shakes them down for a 3-day pass to go on an errand for them.

A subtrope of DistinctionWithoutADifference and InsistentTerminology. Compare IsThatAThreat, TechnicalEuphemism, and UnusualEuphemism.

* Subverted in ''ComicBook/OmahaTheCatDancer'' when Joanne has incriminating info on some bad guys, but she will not specify what she wants for it right now. The potential recipient refuses to accept the info blind but is persuaded otherwise when Joanne tells him that the info would be damaging to his interests as well. When the man growls this is blackmail, Joanne remarks, "It's all blackmail, I'm just choosing sides."

* ''Fanfic/TheNewAdventuresOfInvaderZim'': Early in Season 2, Zim attempts to coerce Gaz into serving him by threatening to expose how she [[spoiler: betrayed Dib]] at the end of Season 1. When Gaz incredulously asks for confirmation that he's actually trying to blackmail ''[[TheDreaded her]]'', he smugly says that blackmail is a "nasty" word, but confirms that he is. [[BlackmailBackfire Things only get worse for him from there.]]

'''Scott:''' ''[rolling eyes]'' I believe you being nice had nothing to do with it. If I remember correctly, the word you're looking for is blackmail. Oh, yes it's coming back to me now. Something about you gluing Professor Xavier's favorite pipe back together. You broke it and I caught you gluing it with Hank's special glue in the kitchen.\\

* The ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' fanfic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/26004160/chapters/63225232 Throw a Chair Through a Window and Call It a Day]]'' has Midoriya be a user of this under the impression that it makes them sounds less intimidating. He first renames "psychological warfare" to "a slight emotional manipulation of peers", and later calls an interrogation "a slightly more intense and focused interview".
** When informed that giving alternate names to things makes them ''more'' intimidating and not less, he tries renaming psychological warfare to "extremely thorough observations and control over a friend's mental state and functions".
* In ''Fanfic/WhenReasonFails'', according to Shoto, "blackmail" is too negative. He prefers "aggressive persuasion techniques".

* In ''Film/BedtimeStory1964'', Freddy stops his general from disciplining him by reminding that if he does, his inability to curb Freddy's rampant misbehavior will be exposed. He says, "'Blackmail' is such an ugly word, sir. Couldn't we use the word 'persuasion'?"

-->'''Doyle:''' Yeah alright, go on--chat her up.
-->'''Bodie:''' That's a very coarse way of putting it!
-->'''Doyle:''' ''(laughs)'' Oh, you mean there's another way?
-->'''Bodie:''' ''(in [[ReceivedPronunciation posh accent]])'' Yes, I prefer "interrogation", "investigation" on account of the fact that I'm very conscientious about my work.

* Humorously averted in ''Videogame/TheOuterWorlds'':
-->'''Player''': Are you suggesting extortion?\\
'''Silas''': ''That's'' the word! "Extortion"! Been on the tip of my tongue all day.

* ''Webcomic/HeroOhHero'' inverts this:
-->'''Archibald (The Iron Judge):''' "You are on thin ice, foreigner. I'd suggest you quit provoking me."
-->'''Guy:''' "Provoking? That's cute, Archie, really cute. I think the word you're looking for is ''blackmail.''"

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987'', "Michelangelo Meets Mondo Gecko"
-->'''Mr. X''': Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer ripoff.

* From ''Manga/{{FAKE}}'':
-->'''Dee:''' So you are in cahoots with Berkeley after all, aren't you? I knew something was up.\\
'''Diana:''' Awww, cahoots is such a mean, ugly word. We're more like [[UnluckyChildhoodFriend childhood friends]], if anything. Swear to God.

* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10789369/9/Potter-Inverted Potter, Inverted]]'' Sirius shows off by interpreting Lina's coat of arms.
-->'''Sirius:''' Sable; a chevron inverted and indented vert, in base a dragon... er... tué, I suppose, gules; over all a sword inverted or... Um... that would be... constancy, faithful service and a love of fire; enlightened warrior - I suppose that means a combat mage, in our case - plus two references to your surname; and a defender of treasure... no wait, the dragon's dead, so... you're actually '''advertising''' that you're a thief?\\
'''Lina:''' I prefer 'asset recovery specialist'.
* In ''Fanfic/CandyForYourThoughts'', when Alejandro is trying to convince Gwen to manipulate Cody:
-->'''Gwen''': You want me to ''lie'' to Cody?\\
'''Alejandro''': Lying us such a strong word. I prefer flirting to your own advantage.
* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/2961094/1/Thief-is-such-a-harsh-word-Harry Thief is such a harsh word, Harry]]'':
-->'''Blaise:''' You're a thief Draco-\\
'''Draco:''' Thief is such a harsh word. I see myself as a modern day Robin Hood. You're my merry men, and I'm your heroic leader.
* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9157305/7/Losing-Control Losing Control]]'':
-->'''Cedric:''' Merlin Daph, you sound like you want to overthrow the government.\\
'''Daphne:''' Overthrow is such a strong word. How about modernize and make more effective. The more people we have that think like us, the easier it will be.
* ''Fanfic/GoinKaboom'': Vlad doesn't like the use of the word "slave" to describe what he's doing to Katie. He prefers "to call it an unpaid internship and gaining a long term errand girl".
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9963013/14/He-s-Not-Dead-Yet He's Not Dead Yet]]'' Harry plans to get Snape to violate the restraining order he's currently under.
-->'''Neville:''' Lord Potter, I would be delighted to join in your pursuit of vengeance.\\
'''Harry:''' No, Neville, not vengeance. That is such an ugly word. Call it 'payback.'

* While it was used ''in'' blackmail, in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanAndHarleyQuinn'', Batman lords knowledge that many A.R.G.U.S. agents, including Sarge Steel, have frequented a brothel that caters to the BDSM crowd over Steel's own head to force cooperation. Steel himself responses by claiming in many countries, the reason for his visits would be considered "therapy". That said, this is an instance of both types as Bruce himself does calls it an "exchange" when Steel calls him out on the tactic.

* In ''Literature/TheHobbit'', Glóin tells Bilbo, "You can say 'Expert Treasure-hunter' instead of 'Burglar' if you like. Some do."
* ''Literature/{{Dragonlance}}'': Kenders use to "borrow" other people's personal belongings (or just picked it up, or just wanted to have a look at it ...)

* In ''Literature/ArtemisFowl,'' Artemis discovers that Mulch has been lurking around Fowl Manor to steal things.

* Creator/DavidEddings uses this several times in his various book series. Silk is the patron saint of this trope.

* Reacher Gilt, anticipating his co-conspirators' thought processes in ''Literature/GoingPostal'', contemptuously muses that (at least for them) "embezzlement" is such a ''difficult'' word.

---> '''Hawkeye''': You just stole a 3-day pass from us.\\

* ''VideoGame/PokemonInsurgence'':
-->'''[[spoiler:Zenith]]:''' Mind control is such an ugly term. I prefer "mind optimization".
* In ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal'', during an episode of Supervillain Weekly:
-->'''Supervillain Weekly Host''': Lawrence, tell us a bit about this top-secret "super weapon" being constructed on Planet Daxx?\\
'''Lawrence''': Well, "super" is such a strong word... For that matter "weapon" may be a tad overdoing it.

* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick''

* ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'': In episode 84 of the first campaign, Kima ''tries'' to invoke this, but poor [[DumbMuscle Grog]] doesn't really get such subtleties.
-->'''Kima:''' If Mr. Vord starts coming round asking questions? ...Tell him you haven't seen me.\\
'''Grog:''' Lie?\\
'''Kima:''' No, no... Just tell him you haven't seen me.\\
'''Grog:''' ''(Confused)'' But I have seen you...\\
'''Kima:''' Tell him you haven't.\\
'''Grog:''' ''[Turns to Vex and Pike for help, [[MindScrew the expression]] on his face causing the entire table to erupt into minutes-long peals of laughter.]''

--> '''Michael Morbius''': I borrowed this equipment from the ESU Science Department.
--> '''Felicia Hardy''': Pilfered.
--> '''Michael Morbius''': ...Borrowed.

-->'''Neville:''' Lord Potter, I would be delighted to join in your pursuit of vengeance.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* ''[[Franchise/{{Batman}} Joker's Asylum:]] The Riddler'':

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': In "The Big Bang", the Doctor, saying goodbye to a young Amy, mentions, "Did I tell you that I stole the TARDIS? Well, borrowed." His subsequent description of the TARDIS as "ancient and modern at the same time and the most brilliant blue ever" allowed Amy to remember it at her wedding to Rory as "[[OldNewBorrowedAndBlue Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.]]"
** Brought up again, in "The Doctor's Wife":
--->'''Idris''' (the TARDIS in a human form): Then you stole me. And I stole you.\\
'''The Doctor''': I borrowed you.\\
'''Idris''': Borrowing implies the eventual intention to return the thing that it was taken. What makes you think I would ever give you back?

-->'''Carl:''' So what you're offering me is a bribe?\\

* In ''Series/{{Farscape}}'' when Rygel is accused of "snurching" (''Farscape''-ese for "stealing"), he responds "I don't ''snurch'', I... ''procure''."

** In the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield", Kirk accuses Lokai of stealing, making off with, whatever, the shuttle. Lokai replies, "I do not ''make off'' with things! My need gave me the right to use the ship! Mark the word, sir: The ''use'' of it!"

** ''Series/StarTrekVoyager''. In "Concerning Flight", the VillainOfTheWeek Tau is a SpacePirate turned ArmsDealer and has this as his EstablishingCharacterMoment.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* ''LightNovel/TrappedInADatingSimTheWorldOfOtomeGamesIsToughForMobs'': Due to his cohort of ImpoverishedPatrician noblemen classmates proving FairWeatherFriend in the past, Leon blackmails them all by giving them free warships from his shipyard, that Leon threatens to cut off from repairs and resupply if they don't fight under him, terming it "Friendship". Should have ReadTheFinePrint.

** In "Darkness On The Edge Of Town", Felicity Smoak has a humorous moment when she starts this trope by claiming "hacking is such an ugly word"... and then is unable to think of a better one.
** In "Fighting Fire With Fire", Thea Queen brushes off her plans to blackmail a council member to swing the vote in her brother's favor as "politics". Oliver Queen is not amused.
** In "Due Process", Felicity drops a hint that she might put Anatoly's name on the no flight list, calling it an "enthusiastic suggestion" rather than a threat.

Many times, the character will claim that something is [[DistinctionWithoutADifference extortion instead of blackmail]] or visa versa. It appears that fictional characters are more comfortable admitting to that since XMakesAnythingCool.

-->'''Cop Morty:''' [[MobBoss Big Morty]] likes to ''contribute'' to keeping the peace in Mortytown. Think of him as [[AvertedTrope a "druglord", and us as "cops on his payroll".]]