Pinko - Definition and Overview

Pinko is a derogatory term for a person sympathetic to the Communist Party, but not necessarily a Communist.

History

The word 'pinko' first became popular during the Cold War to designate those who supported Russia. The word was widely used across the world, but particularly in the United States, where a certain hatred of Communism grew strong among the population, especially during the era of the McCarthy trials. One of the most famous uses of the word is a quote attributed to Richard Nixon, talking in 1950 about Helen Gahagan Douglas: "She's pink down to her underwear!", referring to the fact that at the time, pink was the main color of women's undergarments.

Example Usage of Pinko