A bureaucracy that has become stupid and turns on its citizens to protect its stupidity.
Also used to describe coded language and terms with multiple meanings used by governments or media.
Also used to describe coded language and terms with multiple meanings used by governments or media.
That is Orwellian.
by zos12345 December 17, 2013
Get the Orwellian. mug.This is Great Britain summed up in a single word, currently competing with the likes of North Korea. In Britain there are increasingly pathetic authoritarian laws being introduced to rid the country of expressive freedom.
Freedom of speech, not that complete freedom of speech ever existed here, is now almost completely gone.
You'll be afraid to speak up about the current invasion of foreigners, you'll be afraid to say certain words, you'll be under surveillance, you'll be under control, you'll be fearful of arrest.
Freedom of speech, not that complete freedom of speech ever existed here, is now almost completely gone.
You'll be afraid to speak up about the current invasion of foreigners, you'll be afraid to say certain words, you'll be under surveillance, you'll be under control, you'll be fearful of arrest.
Edward from the UK: I was getting verbally abused and threatened online today. I hit them with a torrent of offensive words in return, and like a week later, the police turned up at my house and arrested me for hurting somebody's feelings with word bullets!
Edward's friend, Rob from the USA: Man.. You can get arrested for such petty shit today, whatever happened to sticks and stones? Also, why were you arrested and treated like a criminal when the others started it and got away with it? They even threatened you and got away with that too? That's bullshit beyond logic.
Edward from the UK: People have been arrested for far less mate. It's a law called Malicious Communications. Everything in the UK is ass-backwards. That's why Boris Johnson was allowed to party it up with his mates during lockdown with police on guard. Then a pensioner was sentenced for selling mince pies during the pandemic. Britain is truly broken beyond belief. A disgustingly oppressive country, it's do as I say, not as I do.
Edward's friend, Rob from the USA: Holy shit dude, that's Orwellian alright! If I lived there I'd be out like a bullet!
Edward's friend, Rob from the USA: Man.. You can get arrested for such petty shit today, whatever happened to sticks and stones? Also, why were you arrested and treated like a criminal when the others started it and got away with it? They even threatened you and got away with that too? That's bullshit beyond logic.
Edward from the UK: People have been arrested for far less mate. It's a law called Malicious Communications. Everything in the UK is ass-backwards. That's why Boris Johnson was allowed to party it up with his mates during lockdown with police on guard. Then a pensioner was sentenced for selling mince pies during the pandemic. Britain is truly broken beyond belief. A disgustingly oppressive country, it's do as I say, not as I do.
Edward's friend, Rob from the USA: Holy shit dude, that's Orwellian alright! If I lived there I'd be out like a bullet!
by Fight 4 Freedom January 27, 2023
Get the Orwellian mug.1: A situation that resembles the themes of George Orwell's book 1984, which include but are not limited to: authoritarianism, oppression, poverty, and brainwashing.
2: A perfect name for your slightly overweight cat.
2: A perfect name for your slightly overweight cat.
1:
P1: my college exams were Orwellian. you had to miss lunch to study and the professors were yelling at me when i dropped a pencil.
P2: that sucks
2:
P1: dude i got this super fat cat what should i name him
P2: i think Orwellian would be perfect.
P1: my college exams were Orwellian. you had to miss lunch to study and the professors were yelling at me when i dropped a pencil.
P2: that sucks
2:
P1: dude i got this super fat cat what should i name him
P2: i think Orwellian would be perfect.
by amnesiafranky July 21, 2017
Get the Orwellian mug.George Orwell, early writer of science fiction.
A narrative or prophesy of events caused by political manipulation, characterised by impersonality and suspicion, and especially by an almost savagely comical dissembling that prevents serious challenge to them on logical grounds.
A narrative or prophesy of events caused by political manipulation, characterised by impersonality and suspicion, and especially by an almost savagely comical dissembling that prevents serious challenge to them on logical grounds.
"The minister's intent, while not exactly Machiavellian, is at least Orwellian.
I might describe it as Gibsonian, but this scheme would result in troubles that would not be mere circumstance, but the work of beaurocratic design."
I might describe it as Gibsonian, but this scheme would result in troubles that would not be mere circumstance, but the work of beaurocratic design."
by Lostgallifreyan January 11, 2005
Get the Orwellian mug.Often confused with totalitarian, Orwellian describes deceptive and manipulative use of the English language.
An asshole political leader describing something as Orwellian, when what they mean is totalitarian, is in itself Orwellian.
by FrenchOfFry June 11, 2019
Get the Orwellian mug.This is how Orwellian used:
Proper use: Using "Orwellian" for labelling something authoritarian and dishonest
Kinda misused: Using "Orwellian" to label everything authoritarian
Completely misused: Using "Orwellian" to label someone/something they don't like
Proper use: Using "Orwellian" for labelling something authoritarian and dishonest
Kinda misused: Using "Orwellian" to label everything authoritarian
Completely misused: Using "Orwellian" to label someone/something they don't like
by Sir. B June 4, 2022
Get the Orwellian mug.Typically used in conjunction with an opinion that you don't like. The term "Orwellian" could also be used to simply describe the use of the phrase "This is just like 1984".
The use of the word is not derived from the implication of the word, which is in reference to the book 1984 by George Orwell. Orwellian may be used to describe the suppression of opinions and actions, or an overbearing rule or system, a major theme in the novel.
The use of the word is not derived from the implication of the word, which is in reference to the book 1984 by George Orwell. Orwellian may be used to describe the suppression of opinions and actions, or an overbearing rule or system, a major theme in the novel.
Moderator: Please do not announce to the server when you are going to masturbate.
User: This is so Orwellian.
User 1: I do not agree with your opinion
User 2: Orwellian. Actually Orwellian. This is just like 1984.
User: This is so Orwellian.
User 1: I do not agree with your opinion
User 2: Orwellian. Actually Orwellian. This is just like 1984.
by UnderdeveloptCorrupt December 14, 2023
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