I’m not even sure it’s (usually) editorializing as much as it is looking for a word that strongly conveys “lambasting” or “deriding” but is a) at least somewhat neutral, b) understandable to most audiences, and c) not overly informal.
“Slam” doesn’t imply some kind of bias toward one party; it literally just means “To speak badly of; to criticize forcefully.” Arguably the reason you’re more likely to see it in editorializing isn’t because it’s an editorializing word but because “someone said some mean-ass shit” as a class of story is ripe for (but not inherently) editorializing.
“Slams” has the benefit of being very short over something like “strongly criticizes”, and something like “attacks” could be more easily misconstrued as “physical assaults”. Like it’s kind of just the ideal word for this even though it’s goofy if you’re like me and imagine them body slamming the other party.
(Edit: Replied to wrong comment at first. Also, I see now you were responding to the scenario in the comic, not the use of “slams” generally.)
I also wouldn’t attribute language like “slams” as a bias to one party, but it’s often used in a sensationalized way like in the comic. To me, it immediately brings to mind TMZ trying to start drama and farm clicks.
I’m not even sure it’s (usually) editorializing as much as it is looking for a word that strongly conveys “lambasting” or “deriding” but is a) at least somewhat neutral, b) understandable to most audiences, and c) not overly informal.
“Slam” doesn’t imply some kind of bias toward one party; it literally just means “To speak badly of; to criticize forcefully.” Arguably the reason you’re more likely to see it in editorializing isn’t because it’s an editorializing word but because “someone said some mean-ass shit” as a class of story is ripe for (but not inherently) editorializing.
“Slams” has the benefit of being very short over something like “strongly criticizes”, and something like “attacks” could be more easily misconstrued as “physical assaults”. Like it’s kind of just the ideal word for this even though it’s goofy if you’re like me and imagine them body slamming the other party.
(Edit: Replied to wrong comment at first. Also, I see now you were responding to the scenario in the comic, not the use of “slams” generally.)
I also wouldn’t attribute language like “slams” as a bias to one party, but it’s often used in a sensationalized way like in the comic. To me, it immediately brings to mind TMZ trying to start drama and farm clicks.