to institutionalize

(verb): to scholarly define a word or concept in order to manipulate to your political advantage the ignorant masses.

boy: father, what is xenophobia? I found in internet chat room

father: I don't know, but it sounds like a scholarly term. Maybe we should try to institutionalize it and use it to manipulate the ignorant masses. What du think?

boy: I'll ask at the Political Science department of Mcgill University. Maybe they could help me there?

father: sounds like a plan to me.

by Sexydimma May 28, 2012

to institutionalize

a) (archaic): to forcibly or legally confine someone to 'an institution', often a mental health hospital, a prison or an orphanage

b) (more modern) (verb): to scholarly define- thus making it a part of our political, legal, judicial, social or cultural institutions- using a convoluted vocabulary, a simple word or concept in order to politically manipulate the masses.

boy: father, what is Communism?

father: it's a scholarly term. As far as scholarly terms are concerned anyone, even pseudo-intellectuals, can try to institutionalize, definition b), any term they want.

by Sexydimma May 27, 2015

to institutionalize

Verb

A)( archaic): to forcibly or legally place someone in an institution, notably a mental health hospital, a prison or orphanage

B) ( modern): to legally define, in convoluted terms,- and thus make part of scholarly society- very simple concepts solely to manipulate the ignorant masses.

If you want to institutionalize, definition b) any word, you need to work in the media first

by Sexydimma May 19, 2017

institutionalized incompetence

When a dysfunctional institution teaches and embraces incompetence as though it is the pinnacle of competence because it is so embedded in its culture.

How does one truthfully explain something like the post office or the prison industrial system to a child without in some way making a reference to institutionalized incompetence?

by Dr Bunnygirl June 21, 2020

Institutionalized

When you're sitting in your room daydreaming and your mom thinks you're on drugs, but all you want is a Pepsi and she won't give it to you and thinks you need professional help.

Institutionalized you're the one that's crazy

by RickyChanning September 17, 2018

institutionalized

1. What a military service person becomes when they've re-enlisted so many times, and have spent so many years in the service, they no longer feel they would be safe or can make a life outside the military installation's fence. They also can no longer relate to civilian life-style or understand it anymore. 2. What a convicted criminal becomes when they've spent so many years behind bars away from life outside the prison walls.

1. After 8 years in, we knew our son had become institutionalized when he expressed he didn't want to get out because he felt military service was the only guarantee to a secure and stable future. 2. After spending 20 years in prison, Lazy Eyed Larry was paroled, but he had a hard time adjusting to life on the outside because he had become institutionalized.

by Vincent Trace July 27, 2008

institutionalized panhandling

The act of an institution or charity hiring a staff of commissioned college students that stand in the street wearing branded shirts, passing out sympathy- or fear-inducing literature, and holding clipboards to forcibly solicit donations.

A: Aww man, the sidewalk is blocked up by 5 people all wearing the same green shirt, this can only mean Greenpeace is engaging in institutionalized panhandling again.
B: Quick, pretend you're on your cell phone and whatever you do do not make eye contact.

by rion harmon June 19, 2008