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The word "tool" may be used as an insult, describing someone who is being used by an establishment willingly (as a sycophant) or unwillingly (as one who blindly conforms). Tool was popularized as slang in the 1990s and 2000s.
The term most commonly describes someone who is being manipulated by large corporations or governments. In this context, the term is thought to be a shortening of the phrase "tool of the system". The insult is used in Western counter-culture to describe strong proponents of those institutions, who seem to truly believe in what is thought of as a mass deception. Tool may also be used to refer to members of the counterculture who conform to a prefabricated concept of rebellious behavior (eg. tattoos, intentionally ripped clothing, long hair and earrings on males). In this sense, tool refers to a person who mindlessly buys into pop culture or subcultural trends (eg. Aberzombie, poseur, scenester).
Early Usage
Possibly the first record use of the term "tool" in a derogatory manner comes from a labor reform resolution drafted by the Female Labor Reform Association in 1845. The group, which represented female textile workers in the Lowell mills, was on strike as part of the ten-hour movement. After much falsificaiton of worker testimony in the reports of a state-hired investigative committee, the association passed the following resolution:
- "Resolved that the Female Labor Reform Association deeply deplore the lack of independence, honesty and humanity in the committee to whom were referred sundry petitions relative to the hours of labor.--especially in the chairman of that committee; and as he is merely a corporation machine, or tool, we will use our best endeavors to keep him in the 'city of spindles,' where he belongs, and not trouble Boston folks with him." Dublin, Thomas. 'Women at Work'. Second Edition. Columbia University Press: New York, 1993. P 115
The resolution's language mocked Chairman William Schouler's distortions of the truth in order to preserve his own business interests in Lowell. The workers' resolution employs "tool" as a satirical pun, referencing their profession in order to criticize Schouler.
Alternate Meanings
"Tool" may also be used to describe someone who is being manipulated in a relationship. A tool in this context is frequently the male in a heterosexual relationship (cf. pussywhipped).
Tool may also be used as a euphemism for the penis (cf. dick; cock), and it is in this context that it may be used as yet another insult,e.g. "he's a real tool" (he's a real dick).
Derivations
See also
Notes
External link
Pejorative terms for people
"Tool (insult)"