Pinko
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Pinko is a derogatory term for a person sympathetic to a Communist Party, but not necessarily a communist.
History
The word 'pinko' first became popular during the Cold War to designate those who supported the Soviet Union. The word was predominantly used in the United States, where opposition to Communism grew strong among the population, especially during the era of the McCarthy hearings. One of the most famous uses of the word is a quote attributed to Richard Nixon, talking in 1950 about Helen Gahagan Douglas: "She's pink down to her underwear!", referring to the fact that at the time, pink was the main color of women's undergarments.
The word 'pinko' likely has its origins in the relations between the colors white and red. Since pink is a lighter shade of red, the color most associated with communism, pink could be thought of as a "lighter form of communism" practiced by mere supporters of Marxism or socialism as opposed to card-carrying communists.
See also
- Anticommunism
- List of pejorative political slogans
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