dog-whistling

noun

The act or habit of uttering phrases or expressions which is understood only by a narrow demographic.

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Meanings

noun
  1. figurativelyThe act or habit of uttering phrases or expressions which is understood only by a narrow demographic.
  2. derogatorysometimesgovernmentThe act or habit of uttering a political allusion or comment whose significance is intended only to be recognized by a certain audience, particularly in relation to controversial or extreme viewpoints.
Cite this entry
APA

dog-whistling. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dog-whistling

MLA

“dog-whistling.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dog-whistling. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “dog-whistling,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dog-whistling.

Source: dog-whistling on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.