(adj.)
1. Literally, indicative of a sparing application. Frugal.
2. In the U.S., commonly used by many members of the Republican Party to contrast themselves with liberal politicians, commonly of the Democratic Party.
3. Originally used by Republican Party (U.S.) members to mean conservative application of laws, or minimal government.
4. In modern times, used to indicate existing or past values as opposed to new values. In this sense, "conservative" refers to personal behavior rather than the use of laws. A synonym for this definition would be "unchanging."
1. Literally, indicative of a sparing application. Frugal.
2. In the U.S., commonly used by many members of the Republican Party to contrast themselves with liberal politicians, commonly of the Democratic Party.
3. Originally used by Republican Party (U.S.) members to mean conservative application of laws, or minimal government.
4. In modern times, used to indicate existing or past values as opposed to new values. In this sense, "conservative" refers to personal behavior rather than the use of laws. A synonym for this definition would be "unchanging."
Usage notes:
When using the word, it is important to note whether it is used to refer to a political theory/system or personal values/behavior.
In the case of number 3 above, both the Republican and Democratic parties hold conservative _political_ values (in that they want minimal government regulation), but about different subjects. For example, the Democratic Party typically believes in conservative (minimal) use of laws regarding drugs, sexual practices, and film/TV. The Republican Party does not follow conservative political theory in those matters, but does for issues of taxation, guns, and employment practices.
However, even though both parties hold conservative political values in some cases, neither maintains a consistant philosophy based on conservative application of government regulation. Both the Republican and Democratic parties in the U.S. use the word to refer to enforcing conservative _personal_values_ (such as those influenced by religious background or otherwise, see number 4 above), but with differing opinions as to whether or not it is a good thing.
The original political use for the word conservative, as in number 3 above, is more similar to the political adjective/noun libertarian in use today, which describes a philosophy of minimal government,
When using the word, it is important to note whether it is used to refer to a political theory/system or personal values/behavior.
In the case of number 3 above, both the Republican and Democratic parties hold conservative _political_ values (in that they want minimal government regulation), but about different subjects. For example, the Democratic Party typically believes in conservative (minimal) use of laws regarding drugs, sexual practices, and film/TV. The Republican Party does not follow conservative political theory in those matters, but does for issues of taxation, guns, and employment practices.
However, even though both parties hold conservative political values in some cases, neither maintains a consistant philosophy based on conservative application of government regulation. Both the Republican and Democratic parties in the U.S. use the word to refer to enforcing conservative _personal_values_ (such as those influenced by religious background or otherwise, see number 4 above), but with differing opinions as to whether or not it is a good thing.
The original political use for the word conservative, as in number 3 above, is more similar to the political adjective/noun libertarian in use today, which describes a philosophy of minimal government,
by ed July 25, 2004
Get the conservative mug.A word often misconstrued by anyone that his differing opinions. They are, in fact, not racist by definition, they don't, in fact, hate all gays by definition, and they don't want to kill people that don't have the same color skin as them. If they did than half the country would be running around trying to get up their body count.
A somewhat similar definition could be applied to liberal.
A somewhat similar definition could be applied to liberal.
I walked by a conservative today. They were pretty much the exact same as me, but had different political opinions. I'm a minority and I was not shot.
by TryingToBeFair March 27, 2018
Get the Conservative mug.A weak definition of a conservative used by some overly-nationalist douche who has no idea what they're talking about and usually thinks that any American who existed in the 19th century was a conservative
Conservative: Robert E. Lee was a true conservative!
Guy: What are you on?
Conservative: All-American opium!
Guy: ...
Guy: What are you on?
Conservative: All-American opium!
Guy: ...
by SpaceMouse June 25, 2010
Get the True Conservative mug.The right wing version of political correctness. It can be easily spottered with a sharp ear because most conservatives are easily butthurt men-women children.
Examples of conservative political correctness include:
Christian persecution(there is none)
Butthurt reaction when called a bigot
Offended by being called a racist when using racial slurs
When conservative women are called sluts
Whining about the word white trash
Whining about the expansion of LGBT rights
Whining about socialism(ie what the rest of the civilized world has.)
Calling Atheists godless or Satan worshipers
Using the words "White working class" when it doesn't exist. They are really moochers who pop meth and smoke heroine all day.
Christian persecution(there is none)
Butthurt reaction when called a bigot
Offended by being called a racist when using racial slurs
When conservative women are called sluts
Whining about the word white trash
Whining about the expansion of LGBT rights
Whining about socialism(ie what the rest of the civilized world has.)
Calling Atheists godless or Satan worshipers
Using the words "White working class" when it doesn't exist. They are really moochers who pop meth and smoke heroine all day.
by Burn Mar-a-Lago January 12, 2017
Get the conservative political correctness mug.1. Compassionate conservative is an oxymoron; George W. Bush is just a moron.
2. Mike M. from our school
3. National Socialist
4. Fascist
5. Mussolini
2. Mike M. from our school
3. National Socialist
4. Fascist
5. Mussolini
by 8R4193N May 29, 2004
Get the compassionate conservative mug.The DePaul Conservative Alliance (DCA) very small group of students at DePaul University that constantly offends everyone on campus with their hate speech and demonstrations. They fly the Confederate flag, jack off to pictures of Ann Coulter(don't tell their priest!), and yell as loud as they can. Everyone thinks they are a joke. They constantly use the Bible as a method of debating. They run a shitty newspaper funded by their rich ass parents with thrilling headlines such as, "War for Oil? Sounds Good to Me!"
Hey look, the DePaul Conservative Alliance is spitting racist bullshit in the student center again! Someone should really shut them down... but then again it is only like 6 people... but they are still annoying as fuck.
by Concerned__Citizen May 12, 2007
Get the DePaul Conservative Alliance mug.Conservative Estimates:
The President's 10-day trip to India will cost $200,000,000/day.
The probability of a cell forming by chance is 10^-58, and any event with a probability of less than 10^-40 is impossible.
The President's 10-day trip to India will cost $200,000,000/day.
The probability of a cell forming by chance is 10^-58, and any event with a probability of less than 10^-40 is impossible.
by Whitey314 April 20, 2011
Get the Conservative Estimate mug.