{"id":10620,"date":"2022-11-16T22:15:29","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T22:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=10620"},"modified":"2022-11-16T22:16:37","modified_gmt":"2022-11-16T22:16:37","slug":"name-calling-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/name-calling-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Name Calling \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Suppose you have watched any political debate recently. In that case, chances are high that the participants resorted to \u201cname-calling,\u201d behavior you can also spot on any playground. Of course, the \u201cnames\u201d in question are less than flattering.<\/p>\n

Learn more about the meaning and origins of this expression in this post.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

\u201cName-calling<\/strong>\u201d means using insulting words to describe someone you are arguing with or debating<\/u>. In some cases, people offend entire groups through name-calling.<\/p>\n

It is also the lowest (and worst) tier on Graham\u2019s Hierarchy of Disagreement<\/strong>, a pyramid of rhetorical techniques.<\/p>\n

Name-calling may or may not involve swear words and slurs. It includes accusing people of being stupid, idiots, incompetent, a wimp, or corrupt. In some contexts, name-calling is a form of bullying<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The alternative phrase \u201ccalling [someone] names<\/strong>\u201d has the same meaning.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

Are you wondering whether the term \u201cname-calling\u201d has a place in your everyday language? These examples might shed some light on that:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \u201cMay I also take this opportunity to remind Susie that this school has a policy against name-calling<\/strong>? Hurtful words like \u2018crybaby\u2019 have no place in this esteemed institution, and you will be punished next time you see fit to stoop so low.\u201d<\/li>\n
  • \u201cThe populist politician was famous for speaking his mind. Others might describe his rhetoric as name-calling<\/strong>, but his supporters felt he just told it like it was.\u201d<\/li>\n
  • \u201cTim was bullied as a child and still gets upset when people call him names<\/strong>. Now that he can defend himself, you are more likely to meet his fist than watch him cry.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Origin<\/h2>\n

    The phrase \u201cname-calling<\/strong>\u201d emerged in the 1800s<\/strong>. It followed the older term \u201ccalling someone names<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Name-calling was defined as \u201cthe use of opprobrious epithets<\/em>\u201d as early as 1846<\/strong>. \u201cOpprobrious\u201d means scornful, contemptuous, or shameful, while an \u201cepithet\u201d is a word used to characterize someone.<\/p>\n

    Name-calling is using insults to describe someone or a group of people. People in the 19th<\/sup> century may have preferred words like \u201cfool\u201d or \u201cdunce,\u201d but language has grown more brutal over time.<\/p>\n

    You \u201ccall someone names<\/strong>\u201d whenever you use an unflattering and hurtful word to describe them.<\/p>\n

    Name-calling also represents the lowest tier on Graham\u2019s Hierarchy of Disagreement<\/strong>. This pyramid describes the rhetorical tools politicians and others who engage in debate may use.<\/p>\n

    The most sophisticated way to disagree with someone is to address their core view directly. \u201cAd hominem attacks,\u201d where debaters may say something like \u201cthis candidate has done bad things, so you shouldn\u2019t trust him\u201d to avoid engaging with his opinions, is the only form of debate less disturbing than name-calling.<\/p>\n

    You are most likely to encounter the phrase \u201cname-calling\u201d in the context of arguments that break out between children, but adults certainly share vile insults with one another too.<\/p>\n

    Phrases Similar to Name Calling<\/h2>\n

    Instead of \u201cname-calling,\u201d meaning using purposely insulting words to describe someone or a group of people, you could also say:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Mudslinging<\/strong> \u2014 attacking someone\u2019s character or actions in a deceptive way, especially in politics.<\/li>\n
    • Slander<\/strong> \u2014 spreading false rumors.<\/li>\n
    • Character assassination<\/strong> \u2014 calling someone\u2019s character into question through malicious insults.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Phrases Opposite to Name Calling<\/h2>\n

      If you don\u2019t engage in name-calling, you may:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Think the world [of someone]<\/strong> \u2014 meaning you respect and admire the person.<\/li>\n
      • Respect someone.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        You may also target someone\u2019s opinion rather than offering up insults.<\/p>\n

        What Is the Correct Saying?<\/h2>\n

        The correct sayings are \u201cname-calling<\/strong>\u201d and \u201ccalling someone names<\/strong>.\u201d Both mean using insulting language to characterize or attack a person or group of people.<\/p>\n

        Ways People May Say Name Calling Incorrectly<\/h2>\n

        English learners must remember that calling someone\u2019s name is not \u201cname-calling.\u201d<\/p>\n

        If you try to get Brenda\u2019s attention by shouting her name, you aren\u2019t calling her names, but just calling her. You are name-calling if you call Brenda an idiot.<\/p>\n

        Acceptable Ways to Phrase Name Calling<\/h2>\n

        Did someone say you\u2019re an idiot, dumb, a coward, or a crybaby? You can say name-calling is the lowest form of rhetoric and tell them to stop bullying you.<\/p>\n

        You can also criticize others who turn to name-calling by \u201ccalling them out\u201d (holding them accountable) for their behavior.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Suppose you have watched any political debate recently. In that case, chances are high that the participants resorted to \u201cname-calling,\u201d behavior you can also spot on any playground. Of course, the \u201cnames\u201d in question are less than flattering. Learn more about the meaning and origins of this expression in this post. Meaning \u201cName-calling\u201d means using […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10620"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10620"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10620\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10622,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10620\/revisions\/10622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10620"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10620"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10620"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}