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Purity Spiral
A social ratchet effect within a community. A process of moral outbidding, unchecked, which corrodes the group from within, rewarding those who put themselves at the extremes, and punishing nuance relentlessly.
Not to be confused with 'virtue signalling', 'woke culture', or 'online mobs'.
A purity spiral can contain all of these things, but it is defined by the fact that it takes place in a defined community or society, where being purer-than-thou is always being rewarded, and holding a divergent, 'less pure' opinion is normally punished, a dynamic which leads to an inevitable escalation as only the most extreme can 'win'.
Could be anything, from Mao's Red Guard, to Neo-Nazis, to The Crucible, to Instagram knitting.
Not to be confused with 'virtue signalling', 'woke culture', or 'online mobs'.
A purity spiral can contain all of these things, but it is defined by the fact that it takes place in a defined community or society, where being purer-than-thou is always being rewarded, and holding a divergent, 'less pure' opinion is normally punished, a dynamic which leads to an inevitable escalation as only the most extreme can 'win'.
Could be anything, from Mao's Red Guard, to Neo-Nazis, to The Crucible, to Instagram knitting.
After Louise denounced Nike as bourgeois, the village fell into a purity spiral where first Nikes, then all sneakers, then all shoes, and later, socks, were burnt on a pyre by the villagers.
Foot amputations followed in the Spring.
Foot amputations followed in the Spring.
Purity Spiral by pizzleswizzle January 30, 2020
Related Words
Puri • Puritans • purity ring • purist • purity • purified • puritanism • Purim • purin • purification
puriteen
A (almost always) young person on the internet who thinks that the internet has to conform to being entirely sfw, and puts all of their time and energy into attempting to police art and media for any remote depiction of sexuality they personally disagree with. They are often seen screaming in comments sections and making personal attacks against nsfw artists over a drawing, when their anger would be better directed towards real people who genuinely advocate for harmful behavior.
Keep in mind, immature adults can also have the mentality of a child and fit this definition.
Keep in mind, immature adults can also have the mentality of a child and fit this definition.
puriosity
John: Hey Mark, out of puriosity, how much money do valegrams cost at our school?
Mark: Oh, they're .50C each!
John: Great, thanks Mark!
Mark: Oh, they're .50C each!
John: Great, thanks Mark!
puriosity by TheRealDaddyO5 February 9, 2019
purikura
Japanese photo booths called "Print Club." For about three dollars you print out a sheet of sixteen small stickers with your photo on it, with crazy or cute borders and cartoon images (aka Hello kitty.)
VERY popular in Japan and it's catching on here too. Sticker picture booths are available in most mall arcades.
VERY popular in Japan and it's catching on here too. Sticker picture booths are available in most mall arcades.
I'm covering the whole first page of my journal with all my different purikura sticker pictures!
Lets go get purikura together after school!
Lets go get purikura together after school!
purikura by La La Lola May 13, 2005
rice purity test
the rice purity test is a purity test from rice university (no shit) that gives you a purity score with 0 being least pure and 100 being most pure
rice purity test by jemima williams April 20, 2018
purity ball
a creepy, covertly incestuous ritual in which a girl "gives" her virginity to her father who will "give" it to her husband on her wedding day. inherently misogynist, since no one seems to care about what boys do with their dingalings. usually put on by evangelical fundie Christian dads who "date" their daughters, exhibit lots of family love, and have an unhealthy interest in their daughters' sexuality.
purity ball by Heina January 7, 2009
More from Urban Dictionary
Ratfucker
Brought to public attention by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the book on the fall of Richard Nixon, All The President’s Men, ratfucker was Nixon’s term for a political operative who sows chaos among opponents; an agent provocateur. It is thought to have originated among campus political rivalries at USC, and seems to have some usage in the US military.
Along with Nixon’s other ratfuckers, Roger Stone caused fights at otherwise peaceful Democratic Party protests to generate a false narrative that the Democrats were violent and dangerous.
Ratfucker by Ricky Ramjet November 2, 2017
Word of the Day on November 2, 2026
countrypolitan
Term used to describe someone who is a mix of both rural (country) and urban (metropolitan) lifestyles/upbringings. He/she is typically equally comfortable in both settings and is able to seamlessly slip back and forth between the two, appreciating the characteristics of each.
That ol' gal of mine drives the 12 lane freeway during the week and a John Deere on the weekends. She likes opra and the Grand Ol' Opry. I love them countrypolitan women.
countrypolitan by MOChick November 7, 2006
Word of the Day on November 1, 2026
Witch Bath
A bath consisting of a variety of slats, oils, soaps or any other added ingredients such as fruits, milks, herbs or any other spices for health or beautifying benifits.
Witch Bath by carnieboy30 October 26, 2020
Word of the Day on October 31, 2026
proper lad
proper lad by its_ya_boi_chips_ahoy May 20, 2018
Word of the Day on October 29, 2026