"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