Figleaf (linguistics)

In linguistics, a figleaf is defined as language used to prevent a bigoted statement from being perceived as bigoted, for example, that a person making a racist statement is not racist. This includes plausible deniability, and can contribute to double standards. Figleaves may be used in regards to race, ethnicity, religion, and sex, causing them to "facilitat[e] the spread of racist speech". Figleaves may be caused by in-group bias as a part of in-group and out-group dynamics. For a figleaf to occur, users of figleaves must not have been intentionally used to manipulate their audience. Figleaves have "seriously damaging consequences, regardless of what speakers intend". The concept of a figleaf was created by Jennifer Saul, who coined "racial figleaves" and "gender figleaves", who says that they come from the social norms, "Don't be racist" and "Don't be sexist".

Figleaves are used across the political spectrum, meaning that they are used both people who are left-wing and also people who are right-wing, although it is not known if one side of the political spectrum uses figleaves more than the other, if there is a difference. They may be a form of motte-and-bailey fallacy which can cause a claim to have multiple different understandings.