A code word is a word or a phase designed to evoke a pre-determined meaning to certain listeners, while disguising the speaker's true meaning by allowing them to use a word that sounds much more acceptable to an average listener. Code word is implied to be more insidious than a standard rhetorical device by the user's knowing attempt to deceive large groups of people.

Politics

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In political contexts, this refers sometimes to words or phrases allegedly used by conservatives to reassure right-wing followers; a superficially moderate statement could be made using one or more Code words that covertly convey support for conservative ideals. By contrast, many conservatives argue that liberals are doing the same thing when using speech that is politically correct. They argue that this is like Orwell's "Newspeak", and that it is done not merely out of respect for others, but an attempt to further a larger liberal agenda.

Interestingly, Code word has itself become a code word. The phrase has entered into recent debates with one or both parties intending to belittle the position of the other by accusing them of using code words. This implies that the target's arguments are insincere, and are little more than propaganda.

Professional

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Professionals may use code words to send messages to one another in the presence of a client or customer. For example, a customer support professional may say "the problem was with the PEBKAC", meaning "Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair", i.e. the end user.

Alternatively, a doctor or nurse may page "Dr. Brown" or a similar fictitious person as a covert request for immediate security when dealing with a potentially combative patient. Terms like "code red" and "code blue" are also commonly used in hospital settings to alert staff to fires or electrical problems, without scaring other clients.

Emergency rescue workers or police officers may say "There is a 'K'" for dead body.

Police also use the 10-code system.

See also

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• Glittering generality
• Loaded language
• Euphemism
• Doublespeak
• Power word
• Framing (communication theory)

Examples

• Compassionate conservatism
• Culture of Life
• Culture of Death
• People of Faith -- in the U.S., refers generally to Christians
• Hardworking families - United Kingdom

External links

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Usage examples:

• Code Word: Containment "...the new code word for sanctions..." - Jeff Guntzel, 08/14/02
• Liberal is a code word "When someone uses the L-word in conversation...they're using it as a code-word to mean: weak, effeminate, misguided, powerless geek without morals." - Dave Winer, 03/28/05
• Liberal Bankruptcy of Thought "..when words don’t mean what they say, when there are ‘secret codes’ and incipient paranoia, there can be no dialogue." - David Katz, 01/22/05
• Paul Martin's codeword for "who cares" (Canada) "Unacceptable is a word that Martin and his Liberal members use when they disapprove of something but have absolutely no intention of doing anything about it." - Arthur Weinreb, 04/08/05

Figures of speech | Politics