It's an abbreviation for the words PoliticallyCorrect.
From Webster's Dictionary webpage: politically correct (adjective) conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated.
Quite often, it's used as a justification to remove words, holidays, or phrases which could be considered remotely offensive. For example, in Portland, Oregon politicians tried to have every "manhole" cover changed to read "personhole." Another city wanted to change the job titles from "garbageman" to "garbageperson" and "mailman" to "mailperson."
A few years ago there was a book written (a spoof) called "Politically Correct Fairytales." I think it demonstrated how absurd the concept can be when taken to extremes.
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P.C.
Date: 2003-02-25 01:10 pm (UTC)From Webster's Dictionary webpage: politically correct (adjective) conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated.
Quite often, it's used as a justification to remove words, holidays, or phrases which could be considered remotely offensive. For example, in Portland, Oregon politicians tried to have every "manhole" cover changed to read "personhole." Another city wanted to change the job titles from "garbageman" to "garbageperson" and "mailman" to "mailperson."
A few years ago there was a book written (a spoof) called "Politically Correct Fairytales." I think it demonstrated how absurd the concept can be when taken to extremes.