Resources
This page is an extensive list of terms you'll often find being used in leftist circles. The definitions are not written in stone. Some terms are often misused, and so have adopted secondary uses or definitions over time - some are subjective or change depending on context. All terms discussed here are only ones the website author is familiar with, so they are mostly in English and are sometimes exclusively used in the specific context of the USA, the website Tumblr, or in other niche scenarios.
This page will be updated when I have the energy/time. If you have any terminology suggestions or questions, please e-mail me at eterohay@gmail.com, message me on tumblr @P0lyvinyl, or DM me on discord @gothglam.
Online Terminology
These terms are often, but not exclusively, used in online circles. Some may appear in modern texts, but they originate or are mostly used on social media.
Accelerationism: The belief that a system, particularly capitalism, should be pushed to its limits so that it collapses more quickly, leading to a revolution. Some online leftists may reference this concept, but it is often critically analyzed or debated due to its association with extremist ideologies.
Bidoof's Law: Originating in a joke post made by Tumblr user Bidoof, "Bidoof's Law" supposes that, without fail, any time someone posts an obnoxious, poorly-thought out reactionary response to something online, you are likely to click through their profile and see their very public and embarrassing obsession with terrible "hentai", or, Anime pornography. The joke has been criticized as an ad-hominem attack that ignores whatever the person was saying in lieu of mocking their taste in pornography, but their responses are often not worthy of actual argumentation in the first place.
See also: Sealioning.
Horseshoe theory: A political concept, often mocked by online leftists, which suggests that the far-left and far-right are more similar to each other than they are to the political center. Online leftists often criticize this theory as a way to discredit radical leftist ideas and prop up centrist or right-wing views.
Milkshake Duck:
"Pronouns in Bio": An eye-rolling ad-hominem used by conservatives to dissuade engagement with a post made by a leftist, due to the presence of pronouns in the original poster's profile.
Reactionary: A reactionary is a person that opposes progression and praises traditionalism, often voicing a desire to return to some point in the past where things were "better". Reactionary tendencies are not just found in the far-right - they seep into everyday ideas and talking points on all sides of the political spectrum. On the softer side, it can refer to someone opposing something just because it is "new", or different from their norm. In leftist circles, this term is often used in conversations on the dangers of western nostalgic sentiment.Sealioning:
Vaushite: A term used to describe a follower or supporter of the online streamer Vaush, known for his debates on Twitch and YouTube. It is sometimes used dismissively to refer to a specific "debatebro" subculture within the online left.
Woke: Originally adopted by Black activists to mean "socially aware," the term was later widely adopted by online leftists. In recent years, it has been co-opted by the right to mock and deride anything they don't like - much to the dismay of black activists that have been using it for decades.
Pejoratives
Anarkid/Anarkiddie - An immature or uninformed self-labelled Anarchist. The platonic ideal of an Anarkid is someone that prioritizes aesthetic and consumption over action and theory. The label is associated with loudly ignorant youth that often voice their own lack of knowledge on any number of subjects, tend to focus only on subjects that impact them personally, and seem to have an immature or poorly thought out foundation for their ideology - many seasoned leftists have, themselves, gone through such a phase. It is also sometimes used to refer to "posers" or "faux activists" who, outside of their slogans or aesthetics, aren't really leftist at all.Authors note: this term is rarer nowadays, so you won't likely see it used outside of ironic self-labelling.
"Champagne socialist": A derogatory term for a self-proclaimed socialist or leftist who comes from a wealthy background. Primarily used in the UK. It is a term often abused to deride any person that advocates for financial equality or monetary reforms while they, themselves, are not in poverty.
Grifter: An individual who exploits a political or social movement, often under the guise of being an activist or influencer, for personal financial gain. They will often switch alliances depending on what financially or socially benefits them the most. This term is most often seen when referring to a self-described leftist that has "switched sides" and started spouting right-wing talking points for money or views. They will often tokenize themselves, such as referring to themselves as "ex-leftists/liberals", and if they are of a marginalized identity, will often play to that for sympathy or "cred".
Example: Blair White is a grifter, she always uses her identity as a trans woman to tokenize herself when she is putting down people in her community - obviously for social approval from the right.
Tankie - A term often misused, "Tankie" originated in the Communist Party of Great Britain to refer to members who supported the Soviet Union's use of tanks to crush the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. The label later expanded to include those who defended other Soviet interventions, such as the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. The modern usage, if used correctly, is meant to refer to those that disregard, excuse, deny, downplay, or outright support repressive, tyrannical, or genocidal actions committed by self-labelled Communist/Socialist governments. "
Further Context: This word is often levied against people of oppossing views within leftism, especially from Anarchists towards Marxist-Leninists, and is often used to decry any ideology seen as "Authoritarian". Tankies" are rather rare outside of niche online ML communities and most often express themselves as revisionists for the USSR, North Korea, and China.
Authors Note: If someone is not actively defending or excusing violent actions by a government simply because that government calls itself Communist/Socialist - "Tankie" is probably not the word you are looking for. It is worth noting that many atrocities are manufactured or have been subject to historical revisionism due to Red Scare propaganda over the last half-century - and exploring or explaining these instances is not, in itself, "Tankie" behavior. However, if there is sufficient evidence of an atrocity or severe wrongdoing by a self-labelled Communist/Socialist government or institution, and those actions are defended, denied, or excused - the person doing so might, in fact, be a "Tankie".
TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist): A term used to describe self-describedfeminists who do not accept trans women as women and advocate for the exclusion of trans women from women-only spaces. Despite the name, TERF's have a weak understanding of feminism and often repeat patriarchal talking points verbatim. They rely on biological essentialism as the core of their ideology, which is not rooted in science, but rather, reactionary, chauvinistic ideas that push separatism and stoke the flames of misogyny.
Synonyms: Radical Feminist, Radfem, Gender Critical, "FARTs", etc.
Theory
Anarchism Bourgeoisie: The capitalist class, or the owners of the means of production. This includes those that own land, factories, real estate, or companies/corporations. They are not employed; they employ.
Synonyms: Aristocracy, Yuppies, WASPS, Upper Class, The 1%, The Gentry, "High Society", "Upper Crusts", The "Elites", Billionaires, etc.
Authors Note: "Bougie"/"Boujee" is a slang term used to refer to "high-class" things, such as expensive jewelry or cars - it is a shortening of "Bourgeois".
Capitalism: An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and the exploitation of wage labor for profit.
Synonyms: Corporatism, Free Market Enterprise, Laissez-Faire, Commercialism, Private Capital, etc.
Class Struggle: The fundamental conflict of interest between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat in a capitalist society.
