Dix·ie·
pho·
bi·a
Pronunciation: \ˌdik-sē-ˈfō-bē-ə\
Function: noun
Definition: prejudice against, hatred towards, or fear of the American South, it'
s culture, symbols, language,
music, or people, especially as a political force. It is often used more specifically to describe those who show fear, display an aversion to, or seek censorship of the Confederate flag or the
history, traditions, or monuments of the former Confederate States of
America.
Dixiephobia is a blend of (1) the word Dixie, the historical nickname for the American South, usually defined as the Southern states south of the Mason-Dixon line, or the Southern states that made up the Confederate States of
America, and (2) the word phobia from the Greek φόβος, Phóbos, meaning "fear" or "morbid fear".
Two words originate from dixiephobia: dixiephobic (adj.) and dixiephobe (n.), the latter word describing a person who displays dixiephobia or is thought to do so.
John'
s company was accused of dixiephobia after they created a "Southern accent reduction" class to "neutralize" their employees Southern accents.
Hillary Clinton has been accused of dixiephobia by Democratic strategists after neglecting much of the South in her speaking engagements.
The Washington and Lee University administration was accused of dixiephobia after agreeing to remove the Confederate battle flags inside the burial chapel of the
famous Confederate General Robert
E. Lee, after
six dixiephobic students complained.
