PC

[randy_byers]

I never knew that "ortho" meant "correct". Thus "orthodoxy" means "correct belief". So "politically correct" could be understood as another way to say "orthodox", which is probably pretty close to how it was used in the Marxist-Leninist context, before it became a libertarian pejorative.

Comments

[crowleycrow.livejournal.com]

"Dox" the root of words like "doctrine" = teaching or creed or set of principles.

"Heterodox" a lovely word for holding some different fteachings or principles from the right ones.

"Ortho" also in "orthogonal" - right-angled.

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

I have never really thought about the meaning of "right" in "right-angled". Does it mean something like "square"? I seem to recall that what I read about "ortho" this morning indicated that it could mean "straight" as well as "correct". I was also puzzled at what "ortho" might mean in "orthopedics". Does it come from setting broken bones straight? Obviously more research is required! (As always.)

[voidampersand.livejournal.com]

Orthopedics has to be setting bones at right angles, orthogonally.

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

Now there's a scary thought!

[crowleycrow.livejournal.com]

Yes, setting straight. Also in "orthodontics," e.g.