SCARE QUOTES Meaning and
Definition
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Scare quotes, also known as sneer quotes, are punctuation marks used to draw attention to a particular word or phrase. They are typically enclosed in quotation marks, but with an added emphasis or irony. The purpose of scare quotes is to distance the author or speaker from the word or phrase being used, to indicate that they are using the term in a way that is questionable, ironic, or different from its accepted meaning.
By placing a word or phrase in scare quotes, the author or speaker is suggesting that they are being used non-literally or ironically, or that they are skeptical about the usage or validity of the term. This could be because the word is being used in a figurative sense, to indicate sarcasm, or to express disagreement or disdain.
Scare quotes are commonly used in academic writing, journalism, and social commentary to highlight terms or concepts that are controversial, subjective, or open to interpretation. They allow writers and speakers to express their skepticism, critique, or challenge the meaning of a word or phrase without explicitly stating it.
For example, "He claimed to have 'won' the election" uses scare quotes to question the legitimacy of the claim. By placing "won" in quotation marks, the author suggests that the declaration of winning may be contested or false.
In summary, scare quotes are a form of punctuation used to highlight or question the meaning or usage of a word or phrase, often indicating irony, skepticism, or disagreement.
Common Misspellings for SCARE QUOTES
- acare quotes
- zcare quotes
- xcare quotes
- dcare quotes
- ecare quotes
- wcare quotes
- sxare quotes
- svare quotes
- sfare quotes
- sdare quotes
- sczre quotes
- scsre quotes
- scwre quotes
- scqre quotes
- scaee quotes
- scade quotes
- scafe quotes
- scate quotes
- sca5e quotes
- sca4e quotes
Etymology of SCARE QUOTES
The word "scare quotes" is a compound term derived from the words "scare" and "quotes".
The term "scare" in this context refers to causing fear, apprehension, or anxiety. It can be seen as a metaphorical description of the effect or intention behind using these quotation marks.
The word "quotes" simply refers to the punctuation marks, also known as quotation marks, that are used to enclose a word or phrase to indicate that it is being quoted or used in a non-literal sense.
When combined, "scare quotes" describes the use of quotation marks around a word or phrase with the intention of expressing skepticism, irony, or distancing. These quotation marks may indicate that the word or phrase is being used ironically, is questionable, or is not the ideal term.
