Another word for Revolution?

February 7, 2006 8:02 PM

MetaThesaurus: Help me find a word similar to "revolution".

The context. We are trying to illuminate a new way of looking at an old problem, we've got the approach but we don't know how to "market" it to people that are attached to the old way. Think of explaining to IRS agents on a creative tax method you've used. Calling it a revolution or revolutionary would cause a negative reaction. New paradigm is accurate, but wouldn't work because it sounds too salesy for our audience. Out-of-the-box thinking is accurate, but too wordy. Heretical is getting closer, but still has a negative connotation we'd like to avoid. Other terms that have been discarded: Harebrained, Crazy and Bizarre. The word should be a positive word for a creative solution to a problem. Please help us get out of our vernacular rut!

posted by forforf to grab bag (20 comments total)

Epiphany. Suggests a sudden or inspired solution to a problem with could be formulated by even a layperson, since it is more experienced than developed or cultivated.
posted by mmcg at 8:07 PM on February 7, 2006

Innovation, vanguard, avante-garde, cutting-edge, pioneering, breakthrough?
posted by justkevin at 8:11 PM on February 7, 2006

Alternative?
posted by doctor_negative at 8:14 PM on February 7, 2006

fresh approach, new angle, cunning solution? (or combinations thereof :)

counterintuitive sidestep or bypass?
posted by -harlequin- at 8:19 PM on February 7, 2006

Inspired?
posted by davey_darling at 8:27 PM on February 7, 2006

Eureka
Inspiration
posted by cosmicbandito at 8:27 PM on February 7, 2006

I second "innovative".
posted by Jeff Howard at 8:36 PM on February 7, 2006

Radical
posted by tellurian at 8:41 PM on February 7, 2006

Consilience = a jumping together of knowledge
posted by frogan at 8:44 PM on February 7, 2006

Sea change?
posted by jrossi4r at 9:02 PM on February 7, 2006

Galilean.
posted by dsword at 9:52 PM on February 7, 2006

Innovative. Novel.
posted by klangklangston at 10:09 PM on February 7, 2006

Revelation/revelatory?
posted by speicus at 10:36 PM on February 7, 2006

Progressive, unconventional, quantum leap?
posted by muhonnin at 10:51 PM on February 7, 2006

Your idea might be innovative, original, inventive, ingenious, fresh, unprecedented, groundbreaking, or trailblazing.
posted by melissa may at 12:02 AM on February 8, 2006

Geekspeak perhaps, but how about paradigm shift?
posted by rob511 at 12:52 AM on February 8, 2006

If the target audience dislikes typical sales pitches, consider "soft sell": use more neutral words like new, different, better, improved, useful, efficient, timesaving etc.
posted by iviken at 3:59 AM on February 8, 2006

I rather like "epiphany." Or "discovery." Don't make it sound like you've dreamed up a strange new method. Make it sound like you've found one that was possible (and, by implication, legitimate) all along.
posted by nebulawindphone at 5:02 AM on February 8, 2006

Transformation?
posted by TunnelArmr at 8:35 AM on February 8, 2006

Thanks All!!
posted by forforf at 10:38 AM on February 10, 2006