Nazi doublespeak reached its peak when dealing with the “Final Solution,” a phrase that is itself the ultimate in doublespeak. The notice, “The Jew X.Y. lived here,” posted on a door, meant the occupant had been “deported,” that is, killed. When mail was returned stamped “Addressee has moved away,” it meant the person had been “deported.” “Resettlement” also meant deportation, while “work camp” meant concentration camp or incinerator, “action” meant massacre, “Special Action Groups” were army units that conducted mass murder, “selection” meant gassing, and “shot while trying to escape” meant
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