chauvinism

chauvinism
noun

they have a tendency toward small-mindedness and chauvinism

Syn:
jingoism, excessive patriotism, blind patriotism, excessive nationalism, sectarianism, isolationism, flag-waving; xenophobia, racism, ethnocentrism, ethnocentricity; partisanship partiality, prejudice, bias, discrimination, bigotry; male chauvinism, antifeminism, misogyny, sexism
See note at jingoism
••
chauvinism, jingoism
Most traditionally, chauvinism (/shoh-vuh-niz-um/) refers to fanatical patriotism. The word is an eponym from Nicolas Chauvin, a French soldier who was ridiculed for being excessively devoted to Napoleon. By metaphorical extension, the word was broadened to denote excessive pride in people like oneself, especially in reference to males. Today male chauvinism, which (as a phrase, not a phenomenon) dates back to the late 1960s, is something of a cliché, being the word's most frequent application. Indeed, some writers have come to use chauvinism as if it were synonymous with male chauvinism — e.g.: "He betrayed his chauvinism by expressing surprise that I [Diane McFarlin] was an editor." (Sarasota Herald-Tribune; Nov. 8, 1998.) To the linguistic traditionalist, these uses (or misuses) are arrant nonsense
The void left by the shift in the meaning of chauvinism from national pride to supposed sexual superiority has been filled by jingoism. Essentially synonymous with chauvinism in its traditional sense, jingoism has the added layer of xenophobic and aggressive attitudes toward foreign policy — e.g.: "Gilmour goes overboard in trying to rationalize and justify Kipling's racism and jingoism. He argues, for example, that ‘white’ in The White Man's Burden does not refer to skin color but rather to ‘civilization and character’ and that Kipling's imperialistic beliefs were essentially humane and benevolent rather than based on greed, paternalism and self-interest." (Houston Chronicle; June 23, 2002.). Sometimes the word takes on an even softer sense, suggesting a provincialism or regionalism that is broader than national sovereignty — e.g.: "The prime minister's evident glee that the BA order had gone to a ‘European’ company is mere jingoism at bottom." (Wall Street Journal Europe; Aug. 27, 1998.) — BG

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  • Chauvinism — Chauvinism, in its original and primary meaning, is an exaggerated, bellicose patriotism and a belief in national superiority and glory.[1] It is an eponym of a possibly fictional French soldier Nicolas Chauvin who was credited with many… …   Wikipedia

  • chauvinism — is still used in its original meaning, associated with the eponymous Napoleonic veteran Nicolas Chauvin, of ‘exaggerated or aggressive patriotism’. In English (though not in French) it has developed a range of extended uses signifying other kinds …   Modern English usage

  • Chauvinism — Chau vin*ism, n. [F. chauvinisme, from Nicolas Chauvin, a character represented as making grotesque and threatening displays of his attachment to his fallen chief, Napoleon I., in 1815 (in the play La Cocarde tricolor, 1831).] 1. Blind and absurd …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • chauvinism — (n.) 1870, exaggerated, blind patriotism, from Fr. chauvinisme (1843), from Nicholas Chauvin, soldier, possibly legendary, of Napoleon s Grand Armee, notoriously attached to the Empire long after it was history. Popularized in France 1831 through …   Etymology dictionary

  • chauvinism — index intolerance Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • chauvinism — [n] extreme devotion to a belief or nation bellicism, ethnocentricity, fanatical patriotism, fanaticism, jingoism, narrowness, nationalism, zealotry; concept 689 Ant. unbias …   New thesaurus

  • chauvinism — ► NOUN 1) exaggerated or aggressive patriotism. 2) excessive or prejudiced support for one s own cause, group, or sex. ORIGIN named after Nicolas Chauvin, a Napoleonic veteran noted for his extreme patriotism …   English terms dictionary

  • chauvinism — [shō′və niz΄əm] n. [Fr chauvinisme, after N. Chauvin, soldier of Napoleon I, notorious for his attachment to the lost imperial cause] 1. militant, unreasoning, and boastful devotion to one s country; jingoism 2. unreasoning devotion to one s race …   English World dictionary

  • chauvinism — chauvinist, n. chauvinistic, adj. chauvinistically, adv. /shoh veuh niz euhm/, n. 1. zealous and aggressive patriotism or blind enthusiasm for military glory. 2. biased devotion to any group, attitude, or cause. Cf. male chauvinism. [1865 70; < F …   Universalium

  • chauvinism — I (Roget s IV) n. 1. [Fanatical patriotism] Syn. jingoism, superpatriotism, ultranationalism, hawkishness; see aggression 2 , jingoism , patriotism . 2. [Unreasoning devotion to one s sex, race, etc.] Syn. male chauvinism, female chauvinism,… …   English dictionary for students

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