political correctitude
A colleague uses political correctitude when choosing inclusive language for the new employee handbook.
Noun: The conscious avoidance of using language or engaging in actions that could be perceived as excluding, marginalizing, or insulting to groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or subject to discrimination. It involves a heightened sensitivity to the potential impact of words and behavior.
This term describes a principle or practice of communication and conduct. It is often used in discussions about language, social norms, and public discourse. - It functions as a singular, uncountable noun (e.g., political correctitude is...). - It is typically used in formal or analytical contexts to discuss the concept abstractly.
- The company's new speech guidelines emphasized political correctitude to foster an inclusive workplace.
- Critics argued that an excessive focus on political correctitude stifled honest debate.
- Her editorial was a model of political correctitude, carefully avoiding any terminology that could be deemed offensive.
- The term can carry a neutral, descriptive tone but is often used critically to imply that such avoidance has become excessive, rigid, or performative.
- It is frequently discussed in contrast to concepts like "free speech" or "plain speaking."
- Political Correctness (n): A far more common and synonymous term. "Political correctitude" is a less frequent, sometimes more formal variant.
- P.C. (adj/abbr): An abbreviation for "politically correct."
- Woke (adj, informal): A modern, informal term originating in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) meaning alert to injustice in society, especially racism. Its usage and connotations are broader and more complex than "political correctitude."
- Political correctness
- Sensitivity (in a specific social context)
- Linguistic propriety (in a specific social context)
- Insensitivity
- Political incorrectness
- Provocativeness (in a specific context)
- To walk on eggshells: To be extremely cautious about one's words or actions to avoid causing offense. This idiom is often used to describe the feeling associated with navigating demands for political correctitude.
- He felt like he was walking on eggshells during the diversity training, afraid of saying the wrong thing.
A colleague uses political correctitude when choosing inclusive language for the new employee handbook.
- avoidance of expressions or actions that can be perceived to exclude or marginalize or insult people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against