dog whistle

[ dawg-hwis-uhl, -wis-, dog- ]

noun

1. an ultrasonic whistle, audible to dogs and some other animals but out of the range easily perceptible to the human ear, used by handlers of working dogs and by dog trainers.
2. Chiefly Politics. a choice of words, coded communication, or other symbolic aspect of self-presentation that is superficially unobjectionable or neutral but conveys a secondary message aimed at those who affiliate with a controversial group or fringe ideology, usually signaling one’s own affinity for such beliefs: The logo on the t-shirt he chose to wear in his profile pic is a neo-Nazi dog whistle.

   The candidate used “welfare reform” as a dog whistle appealing to racist voters.

   The logo on the t-shirt he chose to wear in his profile pic is a neo-Nazi dog whistle.

dog-whistle

adjective

1. relating to the targeting of potentially controversial messages to specific voters while avoiding offending those voters with whom the message will not be popular

   dog-whistle politics

verb

1. intr to employ this kind of political strategy

Other Words From

• dog-whis·tle adjective
• dog whis·tling noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dog whistle¹

First recorded in 1800–05

Word History and Origins

Origin of dog whistle¹

C21: from the fact that a dog whistle operates at frequencies that can be heard only by dogs

Example Sentences

And yep, the flag can be used in dog whistle fashion to signal a position on “those blacks.”

From The Daily Beast

Is that a dog whistle in your ad or are you just happy to elect Chris McDaniel?

From The Daily Beast

Cynical politicians took advantage of this fact with coded, “dog whistle” language.

From The Daily Beast

Normally when conservative politicians make dog-whistle appeals to their base, they do so in right-wing publications.

From The Daily Beast

Victoria Kezra on the nerd dog whistle Guillermo Del Toro is blowing in his cool new giant robot movie.

From The Daily Beast

He pulled a dog-whistle from his pocket and blew two shrill calls upon it.

From Project Gutenberg

Around his neck hung a prize which he had won in the games, a silver dog-whistle on a scarlet ribbon.

From Project Gutenberg

Neither the Master's calls nor the ear-ripping blasts of his dog-whistle could bring her back to The Place.

From Project Gutenberg

Jack had a dog-whistle, so he took it off and gave it to her.

From Project Gutenberg

Hugh went into the house and a few minutes later came out again with the dog whistle and gave it to Jack.

From Project Gutenberg