Nuts and Bolts: perlocution.

So you want something done, but you aren't prepared to lift a finger to do it?

You need to do a bit of perlocution.

Perlocution is the effect you have by saying words.

If you see someone about to step out in front of a car you might shout stop! You're trying to have a physical effect on someone, but without doing any physical action (except shouting).

Similarly, if you don't have enough money for an ice cream then you probably won't try to get the money by stealing it. Instead you'll find someone who has got the money and try a bit of flattery. Or charm. Or persuasion. Or incessant nagging. (Small children are excellent at perlocution. Mind you, they learn it from adults. If you don't eat your spinach...)

You perhaps think of yourself as simply straightforward, but perlocution is everywhere. Listen out for it coming from a mouth near you.

Nuts and Bolts: perlocution. This word entered the English language in the 1500s, when it meant the action of speaking. It comes from the Latin perlocūtiō. Per- means through, and loquī to speak.