Episode 1287 • • 2:07:29 - 2:14:20
1287: School-ology
Amy Coney Barrett Hearings and Merriam-Webster Definition Change
During confirmation hearings, Senator Maisie Hirono criticized Amy Coney Barrett for using the term "sexual preference," labeling it an offensive slur. Within hours of the exchange, Merriam-Webster updated its online dictionary to categorize the term as "offensive." This rapid change is criticized as an example of social justice activism influencing institutional language standards, despite the term's common usage by Democrats in the recent past.