coded language
Veiled communication system
Coded language uses words or phrases that carry hidden meanings understood by some listeners but not others.
Politicians employ coded language to signal positions to supporters while maintaining deniability: law and order, urban crime, family values.
The technique allows speakers to communicate controversial ideas without stating them explicitly.
Also called dog whistles or code words.
- dog whistleHigh-frequency pet caller
- doublespeakDeliberately misleading language
- plausible deniabilityArranged protection from accountability
- cipherHidden writing system
- jargonSpecialized professional vocabulary
encryption · euphemism · allusion · metaphor · steganography · racism · tonal shifts · read the room · propaganda · spin · buzzword · veiled · innuendo · prejudice · implicit bias · subtext · states' rights · law and order
- codespassword, binary, DNA, RNA, passcode
- secrecysecrecy, secret, secrets, confidential, classified
- cryptic puzzlesriddle, cipher, cryptogram, enigma, puzzle
- passive aggressionsilent treatment, backhanded compliments, backhanded compliment, cold shoulder, eye rolling
- slangslang, jargon, lingo, argot, cant
- teenagersangst, prom, attitude, back talk, brooding
coded languageplain speech
Unembellished verbal expression
plain language · direct speech · explicit language · straight talk · clear communication
coded languageplain English
Unadorned, accessible wording
public discourse · universal language · accessible language · open communication · simple language