The department contends that the tape is a kind of audio illusion, with the provocative-sounding sections actually best understood as jokes, sarcastic remarks or, in the case of the racial slur, simply inappropriate language.
Other recent examples include ads for Slim-Fast diet products sold by Unilever, which depict women thinking, "I want to show off my new ass," and commercials for the Kmart division of Sears Holdings in which shoppers utter provocative-sounding phrases like "Ship my pants" and "Big gas savings".
This long-lived New Jersey ballet troupe, now under the direction of Graham Lustig, will present a provocative-sounding program of choreography by Susan Hadley ("Les Noces, George Balanchinene ("Tarantella"), Mr. Lustig (untitled) and Kirk Peterson ("The Eyes That Gently Touch").
Even Trump must avoid sounding too provocative or he could be charged with incitement to riot.
While the scene is updated with specific New York references ("Ladies, we are in a mall, so let's go shopping!" Ms. Pickett exclaims, sounding a lot like Kathy Griffin), the anti-consumerism message lands in a trite, not provocative, place.
The remarks, which were unusually soaring, provocative and personal, arrived at a crucial moment in the campaign: despite Mr. Thompson's presence in the race, black voters, sounding notes of forgiveness, have been strikingly receptive to the candidacy of former Congressman Anthony D. Weiner.
They were sounding boards.
"Really?" he asked, sounding stricken.
"Yeah," said Leonard, sounding dejected.
Other retirees are sounding retreat.
