# politically correct

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/politically-correct
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Sensitive to giving offense on the grounds of race, sex, etc.

## Examples

- He tries to be politically correct when he speaks.
- The writer edited the article to make it more politically correct before publishing.
- Critics argued that the film, though entertaining, was not politically correct in its portrayal of certain cultural groups.

## Origin

The earliest known attestation appears in the United States in the late 18th century, a response to a toast made to the United States rather than to the people of the United States. By the early twentieth century, the term had become associated with the dogmatic application of Stalinist and Communist Party doctrine. Mao Zedong furthered this association in his 1963 essay, Where Do Correct Ideas Come From?, in which he equated correctness with the disciplined acceptance of a party line. In the 1970s, the phrase was adopted by wider left-wing politics. The first known use in this specific sense is credited to Toni Cade in her 1970 anthology, The Black Woman. It appeared again in December 1975, used in a statement by Karen DeCrow in her capacity as president of the National Organization for Women. During the 1980s, the term acquired its pejorative sense. It was employed to mock conformist liberal academics, their stereotypical political views, and their alleged attempts to control language.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.