SCARE QUOTE Meaning and
Definition
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A scare quote is a type of punctuation commonly used in writing to signal a skeptical or ironic tone when using a particular term or phrase. It involves enclosing a word or phrase in quotation marks to express doubt, disbelief, or irony regarding its accuracy, appropriateness, or legitimacy. The term "scare quote" originates from the notion that these quotation marks "scare" the reader, creating suspicion or raising questions about the enclosed term.
Scare quotes are often employed when a writer wishes to distance themselves from a certain expression or to cast doubt on its validity. By using scare quotes, the writer aims to convey that the term being used is not necessarily accepted or appropriate within their discourse, and they may even consider it misleading, misleadingly normative, or misleadingly euphemistic. Scare quotes can also draw attention to problematic clichés, jargon, or buzzwords, making the reader more conscious of their subjective or questionable nature.
In academic writing, scare quotes are sometimes implemented to critique or challenge the framing or terminology used by other scholars, ensuring the writer maintains a critical perspective. Similarly, scare quotes often appear in journalism and editorial contexts, allowing journalists to highlight questionable statements or to report on controversial language used by others.
Overall, scare quotes serve as a device to signal skepticism, irony, or critique when employing a term or phrase, providing a means for writers to distance themselves from the sentiment or assumptions carried by that expression.
Common Misspellings for SCARE QUOTE
- acare quote
- zcare quote
- xcare quote
- dcare quote
- ecare quote
- wcare quote
- sxare quote
- svare quote
- sfare quote
- sdare quote
- sczre quote
- scsre quote
- scwre quote
- scqre quote
- scade quote
- scafe quote
- scate quote
Etymology of SCARE QUOTE
The term "scare quote" is a compound term formed by combining the words "scare" and "quote". The etymology of this term can be understood by analyzing the meanings of the constituent words.
1. Scare: The word "scare" derives from the Middle English word "skerren", which means "to frighten or alarm". It can be traced back to the Old Norse word "skirra", meaning "to frighten, scare". Over time, the word "scare" evolved to refer to causing fear or panic.
2. Quote: The word "quote" originates from the Latin verb "quotare", meaning "to mark, number, or divide". In the English language, it was first recorded in the late 15th century and referred to marking or providing a reference to someone's words.
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