dog whistle
Say it: DOG WIS-ul /ˈdɒɡ ˌwɪs(ə)l/ · noun
What “dog whistle” means
Political language with a hidden message for a particular group.
More precisely: Coded political language that signals a hidden message to a particular group while seeming innocent to others.
When to use it
In political analysis, when apparently ordinary language carries a coded signal that a particular audience recognises.
Memory trick
A literal dog whistle can be heard by dogs while people hear nothing.
It can also mean
It also means a high-pitched whistle used to train or call dogs.
Similar words
coded language, code word
Where it comes from
From whistles pitched too high for humans to hear, but audible to dogs.
Quick check
A politician uses an innocent-sounding phrase that supporters recognise as a hidden attack on outsiders. That phrase is…
a dog whistle or a slogan?
Show the answer
a dog whistle
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