PoliticsAugust 28, 2026
innuendo
in-yoo-EN-doh
Definition
An indirect, often malicious suggestion or hint that casts doubt on someone's character or reputation.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'innuere', meaning 'to nod at' or 'to hint,' it entered English in the 17th century as a legal term for an explanatory statement used in a court document to identify a person or object mentioned in a libelous statement.
In the news
The article uses the word to describe how city officials used vague, negative suggestions against Jack Brown III to unfairly damage his professional reputation. It highlights how innuendo is weaponized to cast leaders of color as corrupt without providing hard evidence.
Two Systems of Justice: How Success Makes Leaders of Color Targets
Read the full article ↗Institute of the Black World 21st Century