The ‘woke’ words Democrats should cut from their vocabulary

The centrist think tank Third Way has released a memo titled “Was It Something I Said?”—shared exclusively with POLITICO—urging Democrats to avoid a list of 45 terms and phrases believed to alienate everyday voters. The think tank argues that such language creates a barrier between the party and people of diverse backgrounds, making Democrats appear elitist, divisive, and out of touch.

The memo groups the discouraged vocabulary into six categories—like “therapy-speak,” “seminar room language,” and “organizer jargon”—pointing out that these terms often sound overly academic or overly progressive. Examples include “privilege,” “cisgender,” “triggering,” “allyship,” “environmental violence,” “BIPOC,” “birthing person,” “microaggression,” and “housing insecurity.” It suggests such phrasing drives away potential supporters instead of inviting their engagement.

Third Way insists the intention is not to police speech, but to foster clearer, more authentic communication that resonates with average voters. While not rooted in specific polling data, the strategy reflects concerns over the Democrats’ continued decline in voter registration and public support.

To illustrate better communication in practice, the memo cites Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Pete Buttigieg, and Senator Ruben Gallego—leaders who are seen as speaking accessibly and empathetically, helping bridge cultural and ideological divides.

Source: POLITICO