Political correctness is something that we all have run into or heard of in one way or another. But what is it really, where did it come from and how has being "PC" changed over the years?

According to Merriam-Webster 'political correctness' is "conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated." According to Steve Horn, an EvCC political science teacher, politically correct speech is the language that can be used in polite society ranging from jokes to scholarly writing.

These two definitions, while not far apart, show a dramatic shift in the use of the word. While one talks about the political ramifications and extermination of certain words the other talks about the use of those words by the public. This shift is one way that we have seen political correctness change over the years.

Political correctness has emerged into the collective consciousness as a relatively new concept. "It seems to have emerged as a popular descriptive concept in the United States over the last three or four decades," said Horn. According to an article by Howard S. Schwartz, professor of organizational behavior, "The struggle between economic classes had been replaced, as primary ontological frame work with a more differentiated set of oppositions based on such differences as gender, race and sexual orientation." In simpler terms the advent of political correctness was a move from class fighting to an extension of civil rights which moved into our everyday language.

Political correctness has been labeled a liberal idea that the conservatives don't hold to, and yet conservatives practice a form of political correctness as well.

"I should also mention more conservative or right-wing forms. These exist too, and all you have to do is experience the pressure to say something good about American troops, or America itself," said Horn. This has become a new facet to political correctness. Not only is it bad to use derogatory terms, but it also has become unfashionable to point out faults in the American system.

When looking at political correctness and the sharp demarcations and divisions that it causes, is it really something that we should take so seriously?

"I think PC has help where it has forced society to examine the way it talks and thinks about marginalized groups," said Horn. Diverse opinions and contradicting thoughts will be ever present in our nation and the fact that dialogue about political correctness exists is a good thing. It forces us to understand why we think and act certain ways to certain people.

"The fight over political correctness has been a progressive and civilizing process," said Horn.