Regarding the noun: revisionism

Helena
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Regarding the noun: revisionism

Unread post by Helena »

I know this part of the forum is specifically about the Holocaust but it did make me question the actual word ‘revisionism’.

As a noun, revisionism seems wholly synonymous with the holocaust doesn’t it? But why would that be? When we consider how much of history has been revised (and hidden) why would it be put into such a narrow definition.

The Miriam Webster dictionary also seems to be on board with this:

No. 1, where it states: a movement in revolutionary socialism favouring an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary spirit.

No. 2, (which I believe is more in keeping with the actual word): advocacy of revision (as of a doctrine or policy or in historical analysis).

etymonline.com:

1903, from revision + ism: originally with reference to a policy of introducing socialism gradually, by evolution rather than revolution, used as a term of abuse by Marxists. (!)

The first known use of revisionism was 1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1 (Miriam Webster above).

Just a thought. It seems the word was invented purely for the context it’s usually only used.
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