An analogy is drawn between monetary devaluation and the "changing role of language" that has been taking place since the 1950s. Words commonly associated with describing money are metaphorically used to discuss the ever-expanding use of words and meaningless idioms. With words carrying less and less meaning, problematic "communication" is increased. The possibility of making words more valuable through disuse is addressed. (Copyright 1994, Sociological Abstracts, Inc., all rights reserved.) (LLBA 1994, vol. 28, n. 2)