Pronunciation: [ɹˈɛdbe͡ɪt] (IPA) 
The term "redbait" refers to the act of accusing someone of being a communist or sympathetic to communism. Its spelling is based on the word "bait," with the addition of "red" to denote communism. The pronunciation of "redbait" is /rɛd beɪt/. The "r" and "e" sound like the beginning of "red," followed by the "b," which is voiced with the lips closed together, and the "eɪ" sound like the word "bayt" with a long "a" sound.
Redbait is a slang term that originated in the United States during the height of the Cold War in the 1950s and 1960s. It refers to the act of accusing someone, typically a political opponent, of being a communist or sympathizer of communism without substantial evidence or solely based on political differences or ideological beliefs. The term can also be used as a verb to describe the action of making such accusations.
The concept of "redbaiting" often involved the use of fear tactics, propaganda, and unsubstantiated claims to undermine and discredit individuals or groups, particularly those who advocated for leftist or progressive ideas or who questioned the dominant political ideology. This practice was commonly associated with the anti-communist sentiment and fervor that prevailed in the United States during the Red Scare period, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Redbaiting was primarily employed as a tactic to marginalize dissenting voices, suppress civil liberties, and stifle political or social movements that challenged the status quo or conventional conservative values. It often resulted in reputational damage, loss of employment opportunities, and discrimination against those targeted. Redbaiting played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the time, fostering an atmosphere of suspicion, paranoia, and divisiveness within the society.
Although less prevalent today, the term "redbait" is still occasionally used in political discourse to describe unfounded or exaggerated accusations of communist sympathies or associations made against individuals for political gain or to delegitimize their viewpoints.
The word "redbait" is derived from the combination of two separate terms: "red" and "bait".
1. "Red": In this context, "red" refers to communism or the Soviet Union. The term "red" has historically been associated with the color that symbolizes communism, socialist movements, or leftist ideologies. This originated from the red flag used by various socialist and communist groups.
2. "Bait": The term "bait" typically refers to something used to lure or entice someone or something. It may be used metaphorically in a context where a specific issue or subject is intentionally brought up to provoke or elicit a particular response or reaction.
When combined, the term "redbait" refers to the act of attempting to provoke or attack someone by accusing them, often unjustly, of having communist or radical leftist sympathies.
