dogwhistles
Hidden political signals
Dogwhistles are coded messages that appear innocent to general audiences but carry specific meaning to a targeted group.
The term comes from ultrasonic whistles only dogs can hear.
In politics, a dogwhistle signals alignment with particular views—often controversial or prejudiced—without stating them explicitly: Critics accused the candidate of using racial dogwhistles.
The verb is to dogwhistle.
Converted to symbols
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- alt-rightRacist reactionary political movement
- plausible deniabilityArranged protection from accountability
base · supporters · messaging · subtext · rhetoric · nationalist · supremacist · innuendo
coded
Converted to symbols
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- alt-rightRacist reactionary political movement
plausible deniability · base · supporters · messaging · subtext · rhetoric · nationalist · supremacist · innuendo · campaign
frequency
Rate of recurrence
- ultrasonicAbove audible frequency range
- silentProducing no sound
- pitchFrequency of sound
inaudible · training · recall · hunting · herding · shepherd · obedience · high-pitched · canine · summoning
dogwhistlesplain speech
Unembellished verbal expression
saying the quiet part loud · straight talk · broadcasting · loud and clear · loudhailers