"Politically correct" originated in the 1930s (possibly '20s) in the
Communist Party to refer to people the Party approved of, people who
toed the Party line. It was always a term of approbation until it was
revived after mid-century, when it became used sarcastically to mean
someone who followed the sanctimonious left wing of academia. Its
meaning broadened to mean someone who is afraid to offend
"progressive" opinion, whether he agrees with it or not.

Kathleen
The Book Doctor