Definition
Coded language understood by a target audience while appearing innocuous to others, the art of saying offensive things without technically saying them.
Example Usage
The 'law and order' rhetoric was widely understood as a dog whistle for aggressive policing in minority neighborhoods.
Origin
Metaphor from dog whistles that humans cannot hear; political usage since 2000s.
Fun Fact
The effectiveness of dog whistles depends entirely on whether enough people understand the code—when explained, the strategy backfires.
Source: Political rhetoric and discourse analysis
Related Terms
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See “Dog Whistle” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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