Dog whistle is a type of strategy of communication that sends a message that the general population will take a certain meaning from, but a certain group that is "in the know" will take away the secret, intended message. Often involves code words.
Republicans say they want to make civil rights for gays a state issue, which is really just a dog whistle strategy for saying that they will refuse to grant equal rights on a federal level.
by magnummanager July 23, 2011
Get the dog whistle mug.a secret whistle used by dogs so they can identify each other as members of the cool whistling dog club
by mantis_shrimp August 3, 2020
Get the dog whistle mug.In politics, a dog whistle is the use of coded or suggestive language in political messaging to garner support from a particular group without provoking opposition. The concept is named after ultrasonic dog whistles, which are audible to dogs but not humans.
Something to be aware of; however, is that it is also a slippery slope fallacy in which bad actors can claim any one thing can also mean another thing without having to explain why logically. The counter to this is to ask them to explain how they came to that conclusion, to which, they won't be able to actually explain why logically.
Equating legitimate generalized statements or criticisms and concerns to hate is generally how the Dog Whistle Slippery Slope Fallacy is abused by bad actors looking to put words or intent in their victim's mouths.
This also leads to a circular logic problem where the person injecting the slippery slope dog whistling racist intent into the meaning of a generalized statement will claim everyone who disagrees with them are bigots, and they know they are bigots because they don't agree with their beliefs, therefore those beliefs are correct because all who disagree with them are bigots.
Something to be aware of; however, is that it is also a slippery slope fallacy in which bad actors can claim any one thing can also mean another thing without having to explain why logically. The counter to this is to ask them to explain how they came to that conclusion, to which, they won't be able to actually explain why logically.
Equating legitimate generalized statements or criticisms and concerns to hate is generally how the Dog Whistle Slippery Slope Fallacy is abused by bad actors looking to put words or intent in their victim's mouths.
This also leads to a circular logic problem where the person injecting the slippery slope dog whistling racist intent into the meaning of a generalized statement will claim everyone who disagrees with them are bigots, and they know they are bigots because they don't agree with their beliefs, therefore those beliefs are correct because all who disagree with them are bigots.
Normie: We need to be tougher on crime!
Wokie: That's a racist dog whistle!
Normie: What about it is racist?
Wokie: You're calling for arresting more inserts racial group(s) here that aren't "white".
Normie: How so?
Wokie: Because you're racist! REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Wokie: That's a racist dog whistle!
Normie: What about it is racist?
Wokie: You're calling for arresting more inserts racial group(s) here that aren't "white".
Normie: How so?
Wokie: Because you're racist! REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
by ApplesPotatoGardner May 13, 2023
Get the Dog Whistle mug.A conspiracy made up by far left people to frame harmless statements as some kind of secret racist phrase
Bob: we don't wanna wind up like the valley do we?
Jane: I'm aware of that dog whistle you neo nazi!
Bob: your insane
Jane: I'm aware of that dog whistle you neo nazi!
Bob: your insane
by Bassnium.exe December 28, 2022
Get the Dog Whistle mug.This refers to a weekend (or evening perhaps) that is so low key and lacking in events that on a volume scale it is undectable to humans...just like a dog's whistle.
Matt: How was your weekend man?
Jay: Effing horrible. Friday night my ride bailed and Saturday/Sunday I stayed in studying...my weekend was so low key only the dogs were aware.
Matt: Ahh you had a dog whistle weekend...lame.
Jay: Effing horrible. Friday night my ride bailed and Saturday/Sunday I stayed in studying...my weekend was so low key only the dogs were aware.
Matt: Ahh you had a dog whistle weekend...lame.
by King Jay March 9, 2008
Get the dog whistle weekend mug.The use of code words in political campaigning or speechmaking. Coded language appears to mean one thing to the general population but has a different or more specific meaning for a targeted subgroup of the audience.
“We grow good people in our small towns, with honesty, sincerity, and dignity," Sarah Palin.
Dog Whistle Politics translation to racists: White people are safe and those elitists who have Muslim names and work in cities, aka Obama, are dangerous.
Dog Whistle Politics translation to racists: White people are safe and those elitists who have Muslim names and work in cities, aka Obama, are dangerous.
by portend March 1, 2009
Get the dog whistle politics mug.A surreptitious inclusion of code words or phrases that will be heard by some of those listening, while not disturbing the other listeners, who may not appreciate the hidden message(s).
President George W. Bush is constantly littering his speeches with dog whistle comments meant for the religious right, so that he can tell them what they wants to hear, while not offending those who aren't evangelical or born again. (paraphrase of text by Ian Welsh, on his Agonist blog)
by Mike P. Grant, esq. October 5, 2006
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