Definition

The art of making bad news sound like good news, perfected by political communications teams who could describe a house fire as "an unexpected urban warming event." It's lying's more socially acceptable cousin.

Example Usage

"According to the campaign's spin, losing the election by twenty points was actually a moral victory and a promising foundation for the future, which is one way to describe a landslide defeat."

Related Terms

Intermediate

sunset provision

A clause automatically terminating a law after a specified period unless renewed, forcing periodic review. It's democracy's way of admitting that temporary solutions have a way of becoming permanent.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Beginner

Flaming Liberal

A politically charged, often derogatory term conservatives use to describe Democrats or liberals, implying they're excessively progressive or outspoken about their views. The "flaming" prefix adds dramatic flair, suggesting these individuals are not just liberal but aggressively, flamingly so. This is political discourse at its most subtle—which is to say, not at all.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Intermediate

vote of no confidence

A parliamentary procedure where a legislature votes to show it no longer supports the executive leadership, typically forcing resignation or triggering new elections. The political equivalent of a break-up by committee.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Intermediate

governing coalition

When multiple parties band together to reach a majority and run the government, common in parliamentary systems where no single party wins outright. It's a political arranged marriage where everyone keeps separate bedrooms.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Beginner

dubya

Nickname for George W. Bush, the 43rd U.S. President, derived from the pronunciation of the letter 'W.' Often used with varying degrees of political commentary, affection, or disdain depending on which side of the aisle you're standing. A term that carries enough baggage to fill Air Force One.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Beginner

trial balloon

A policy idea deliberately leaked to media to gauge public reaction before officially proposing it. If it crashes and burns, the official can claim it was never seriously considered; if it flies, they take credit.

🏛️ Government / Politics

Translate This Term

See “Spin” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on XShare on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Beginner

qpwd

quit posting while drunk...