The Lizza List: A “Severely Conservative” Lexicon

Last Friday, Mitt Romney caused a stir in Republican circles when he went before the Conservative Political Action Conference and declared himself “severely conservative” as governor of Massachusetts. Many were puzzled by the phrase, noting that the adverb “severely” was not commonly used as modifier signifying admiration and respect. Rush Limbaugh was especially confused. He played the clip on his radio show and then said, “I have never heard anybody say, ‘I’m severely conservative.’ ”

But the term has in fact been used many times in the past. Here are nine things described as “severely conservative”:

Reformed alcoholics and criminals

“Like so many alcoholics, or criminals, or sexually promiscuous people who reform, Janet had flipped to the opposite extreme, to severely conservative behavior. At some level, Janet was doing penance for her past destructive behavior. She was full of self-hatred and was operating out of fear. ”

—“Mastering Your Moods: How to Recognize Your Emotional Style and Make It Work for You,” by Dr. Melvyn Kinder (1994)

A province in Afghanistan where mannequins are veiled

“Pashtun Nangarhar province, while severely conservative—even mannequins in the store windows have their faces veiled—does feel relatively safe and palpably prosperous…. Youngsters frolic in the river that winds through the city.”

—“Militants often claim carnage that’s caused by family feuds, thieves,” The Toronto Star, May 23, 2008

Vegetarianism’s moral basis

“As philosopher James Rachels has observed, ‘the opposite is true: the rule against causing unnecessary pain is the least eccentric of all moral principles, and that rule leads straight to the conclusion that we should abandon the business of meat production and adopt alternative diets. Considered in this light, vegetarianism may be thought of as a severely conservative moral stance.’ ”

—“Introduction to Animal Rights: Your Child or the Dog?,” by Gary Lawrence Francione (2000)

John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi

“He plays Lennon as a kid who is at that insane point in his youth where he knows he is destined to do something big but doesn’t know what and is also trying to deal with tragedy, repression and confusion over his own real identity. The latter is due to the fact that he has been raised by his severely conservative Aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) and beloved Uncle George (David Threlfall).”

—“Film Clips,” The Taos News, November 18, 2010

An Islamic legal school

“Qatar’s ruling family has its roots in the same part of the Arabian peninsula that produced the Al Saud dynasty, and both subscribe to the severely conservative Hanbali legal school of Islam.”

—“Qatar politics: Murky motives?” The Economist Intelligence Unit, October 5, 2011

The response from investors when earnings growth is poor

“In the next chapter, we will see that when investors finally become universally convinced that earnings growth will remain poor and, as a result, become severely conservative, one should begin to invest using the assumption that earnings growth will improve.”

—“Style Investing: Unique Insight Into Equity Management,” by Richard Bernstein (1995)

The 2004 budget of Ghana

“The Executive Chairman of Databank Financial Services, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta has said that the budget is severely conservative and not ambitious enough to push the country forward into greater economic prosperity.” —Africa News, February 12, 2004

Teachers who hit children

“It is not true that all of our older teachers are either severely conservative or old-fashioned. Many of them have kept up to date in discipline as in other things.”

—“Discipline” by Clarence F. Carroll, The Review of Education, Volume 7, June 1901, to May 1902, Inclusive

The proper kind of jewelry to be worn at a Mormon wedding

“Only severely conservative jewelry is worn by the bride. She may wish to wear pearls or other simple jewelry given her as a gift by the groom or her parents.”

—“Planning LDS Weddings and Receptions,” by Lois F. Worlton and Opal D. Jasinski (1972, revised edition 1999)

Photograph of Romney by Justin Sullivan/Getty.