Word of the day, 6 December 2024: 'Whataboutery'

Today’s 'word of the day' introduces the term 'whataboutery,' designed to enrich your vocabulary and inspire your language skills. Understanding the origin and history of each word is a key step toward mastering the art of communication. Welcome to word of the day.

Whataboutery

'Whataboutery' refers to a rhetorical tactic where someone deflects criticism or an accusation by raising a counter-accusation or questioning a different issue, often unrelated to the original point. It serves as a distraction rather than a direct response.

Pronunciation

waa.te.bou.te.ri

Origin of the Term

The term 'whataboutery' originated in the political discourse of the United Kingdom and Ireland, particularly during the context of Northern Ireland’s Troubles in the 1970s. It was used to describe the practice of deflecting blame or responsibility by pointing to similar actions or behavior from the opposing side.

History and usage

The first recorded use of 'whataboutery' dates back to 1974 in Irish Times. It was popularized by journalists and commentators discussing the Northern Ireland conflict, but the concept of deflecting responsibility has been present in debates for much longer. In these contexts, people used it to draw attention away from their own group's misdeeds by raising issues about the other side, instead of directly addressing the criticism.

Over time, 'whataboutery' has expanded beyond its original political context and is now used in a broader range of discussions, from political debates to social discourse. It is commonly employed when one party attempts to avoid taking responsibility for their actions by deflecting the issue.

Examples from books and articles

• "Listening to a fellow woman talk about another woman opening her legs in Parliament using that kind of misogynistic language, or the whataboutery to actually try and take it away from the failure of this government, not just now, but for the last 12 years of austerity." -- BBC, July 10, 2022

• "Pochettino whataboutery in Chelsea endgame ranked from the reasonable to the absurd." --  Football365, February 7, 2024

Synonyms

• Whataboutism
• Distraction
• Deflection

That’s all for today’s word of the day. We hope you find this article helpful in expanding your vocabulary. Stay connected with us for more informative articles!