What is political correctness?

Answer 1

Political Correctness ("PC") involves using language that is intended to be less offensive. Rather than referring to someone as "Fat", politically correct language might suggest that the individual is "stout" or "robust" or that an overweight woman is "full figured", but true politically correct speech would not refer to the size of an individual at all.

When talking about yourself, you can always call it as you see it. "While it's true that I may not be perfect, I move well for a tall fat guy."

It is when all hope is lost for being honest and upfront. It is when an issue is tailored,so as to not offend someone at the expense of accuracy and integrity of the statement/opinion. (remember the story of the Emperor has no clothes)

Political Correctness (PC) refers to using non-offensive terms to describe people or groups, usually when older terms have gained derogatory connotations. The term comes originally from the desire of politicians to avoid offending minorities or other groups and thereby lose votes or support. It has extended to any subject matter where there is sensitivity, bias, or historical resentment. "Being PC" (Politically Correct) may itself be criticized as being inaccurate, vague, or excessively euphemistic, or as pandering.

Answer 2

Political Correctness is the idea that speech which can appear to have a discriminatory dimension should be avoided or castigated socially. While a statement that is not politically correct can still be said, a person who says this type of statement will receive negative attention from other people in society, such as the media, friends, fellow employees, and family. This facilitates the death of unpopular ideas concerning discrimination, but also has a chilling effect on speech concerning controversial issues that may involve aspects of discrimination.

Answer 3

The term "political correctness" has a generally negative connotation, and implies excessive or even absurd efforts to avoid offending particular groups, even to the extent of denying the facts of history or imbuing unrelated things with racial and other significance. For example, "You can't put the Scotch Mints on the shelf above the Liquorice Allsorts. That's racist." Political Correctness also is selective in its scope, with the groups who have the most political pull at the moment being entitled to the maximum amount of sensitivity, whereas others with less political pull will be treated with less respect. Indeed if a country is at war with another, Political Correctness may suddenly require people to be racist toward the enemy.