In the ever-growing minefield of political correctness, where nearly every utterance can and will be parsed and critiqued by the synthetically outraged and by eternally vigilant social justice warriors, where even pronouns can get you in deep trouble, there remains one word that is both safe and utterly effective.

It is not racist.
It is not sexist.
It evinces no bigotry or ethnic stereotyping.
It ignores national origin.
It does not cast aspersions on one’s religious beliefs, or lack thereof.
It is not ageist.
It makes no reference to sexual preference.
It is equally valid for all genders.
It pays no attention to any sort of disability, mental or physical.
It works across all political ideologies.
It is truly intersectional, in that no identity markers matter whatsoever.

That word?

“Asshole.”

Sure, it can lead to or escalate a confrontation, but that confrontation will be on matters of substance, not perceived affronts born of political correctness. It’s real, and it’s useful, and no one can take it away from you.

You’re welcome.

• About the Author

About Peter Venetoklis

I am twice-retired, a former rocket engineer and a former small business owner. At the very least, it makes for interesting party conversation. I'm also a life-long libertarian, I engage in an expanse of entertainments, and I squabble for sport.

Nowadays, I spend a good bit of my time arguing politics and editing this website.

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