Do any of them know what the word “liberal” actually means?

  • saltesc@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    how is it more often used?

    Look up liberalism for liberals.

    I wasn’t aware Americans made up their own meaning. Now I understand why upvoted comments mentioning “liberal values” receive a flurry of downvotes while I’m asleep, Americans have lost the meaning of another word, probably due to their media.

    Though, just checking, the American dictionaries seem entirely correct still. Are you all confused?

    • postmateDumbass@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      Its the way the wealthy wamt the poor and middle class - undereducated and bombarded by agenda driven media.

      The US propaganda machine is pretty damn effective domestically.

      • saltesc@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        I think you’re right. It’s not like anything’s changed, so people are obviously buying someone’s bullshit from somewhere and it’s working exactly as the seller intends.

        Going to have start signalling when talking about the two different concepts, like…

        Today I’d like to discuss liberalism.

        vs

        Today I’d like to discuss 🛻🇺🇸LIBeralism™🎸🦅

        Since they’re almost entirely opposing concepts sharing the same word.

    • Cryophilia@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      https://www.dictionary.com/browse/liberal

      liberal 1

      [ lib-er-uhl, lib-ruhl ]

      Phonetic (Standard) IPA adjective

      1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs. Synonyms: progressive

      Antonyms: reactionary

      1. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism, especially the freedom of the individual and governmental guarantees of individual rights and liberties.