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.
