Liberal Orthodoxy

The established, institutionalized set of beliefs that define mainstream liberalism—the often-unexamined assumptions about individual rights, freedom, equality, democracy, and progress that shape liberal societies. Liberal orthodoxy includes commitments: that individuals are the primary unit of society, that freedom means absence of coercion, that rights protect individuals from the state, that democracy is the best form of government, that progress happens through reform rather than revolution, and that liberal institutions (markets, courts, elections) are fundamentally just. Like all orthodoxies, it provides a framework for political thinking, but it can also function as ideology—making liberal arrangements seem natural and inevitable, obscuring their limitations and exclusions, and delegitimizing alternatives. Liberal orthodoxy determines what counts as "reasonable" political discourse, what policies are within the "overton window," and who counts as a "serious" political thinker versus a radical or reactionary.

Example: "He couldn't understand why anyone would question liberal democracy—not because he'd examined its limitations, but because liberal orthodoxy had made it seem like simply the way civilized societies organize themselves. The orthodoxy was invisible to him because he was inside it."

Liberal Orthodoxy by Dumu The Void March 17, 2026

Liberal Democratic Orthodoxy

The established, institutionalized set of beliefs that define mainstream liberal democracy—the often-unexamined assumptions about elections, representation, rights, and the relationship between liberalism and democracy. Liberal democratic orthodoxy includes commitments: that elections confer legitimacy, that representation works, that rights protect freedom, that liberal and democratic values align, that liberal democracies are fundamentally just, and that the liberal democratic model is the end of political history. Like all orthodoxies, it provides a framework for political understanding, but it can function as ideology—making liberal democratic arrangements seem natural and inevitable, obscuring their limitations (exclusion, inequality, corporate power), and delegitimizing alternatives. Liberal democratic orthodoxy determines what counts as "democratic" versus "authoritarian," what political arrangements are "legitimate," and who counts as a "real" democrat versus a threat to democracy.

Example: "He couldn't see how liberal democracies might themselves be sites of oppression—not because he'd examined the question, but because liberal democratic orthodoxy had made critique of democracy itself unthinkable. The orthodoxy's power is making its objects immune to fundamental critique."

Liberal Democratic Orthodoxy by Dumu The Void March 17, 2026

Cheeks 

An Irish phrase meaning shit, derived from ass
(Not to be confused with the literal description of one's buttocks)

"Did you hear the song Aylek$ dropped?"
"Hardly. Her music is absolute cheeks."

"My boyfriend say LaFlame is cheeks."
"Tell your boyfriend I said it's his mixtape that's cheeks."

Cheeks by thecartisan April 26, 2020

sans sheriff 

Lawless use of fonts or typography, with no regard to aesthetics or legibility

I'm putting this CV straight in the bin. Written totally sans sheriff.

sans sheriff by Jamarley July 3, 2019

Breadhead 

Someone who is addicted to obtaining money and building wealth. A money addict and fanatic. Breadheads often work more than one full-time job, and some even participate in illicit activities to "obtain the bread".

A breadhead is like a crackhead, but for money instead of crack.

Breadhead by 🅱️ U S 3 4 8 March 30, 2022

Stink lines

As seen in illustrations or cartoons: Wavy, vertical lines rising above a person, place or thing. Denotes a foul odor.

"You didn't put enough stink lines on your picture of the teacher."

Stink lines by Athene Airheart March 14, 2004

schmegegge 

Yiddish slang word meaning bullshit, baloney, hogwash, nonsense, crock of shit or hot air.

I don't buy the schmegegge about Morty sleeping with Moira.
His version of the story was pure schmegegge.
The whole schmegegge was made up to get Liz a little bit of attention.

schmegegge by budsbabe February 1, 2008