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WMC Unspinning the Spin

patsy

the origins of this word do not appear sex-linked and it is not perceived as particularly gender specific. For a more neutral-appearing term, use scapegoat, goat, loser, born loser, dupe, nebbish, victim, mark, target, laughingstock, sad sack, doormat, sap, hard-luck story, pigeon, pushover, fool. See also fall guy, whipping boy.


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Unspinning the Spin: The Women's Media Center Guide to Fair and Accurate Language

By Rosalie Maggio


 

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