-washing

Suffix in the English language The -washing suffix is used in various fields to discuss an individual's or organization's claimed promotion of pro-social values without putting those values into practice, or to distract from other harmful practices. It originates from the concept of whitewash paint; by the 17th century "whitewashing" had become a term suggesting an effort to give a particular appearance and to conceal negative aspects. Elsesser Kim Pinkwashing, Greenwashing And Momwashing Explained Forbes 30 May 2024 https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2024/05/30/pinkwashing-greenwashing-and-momwashing-explained/ 9 May 2026 The origin of "washing" as a suffix gained popularity in 1986 when Jay Westerveld coined the term "greenwashing" to criticize false corporate promotion of an eco-friendly image.Kuczynski Sasha  December 2022 https://www.proquest.com/openview/42d4340ad92b47dd99a4e56abb66d3df/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y MA Long Beach Dirty Tricks, Clean Image: The Rhetoric of Washing Strategies The suffix was subsequently expanded to discuss a broader range of deceptive practices by corporations and other institutions.Reicin Eric Washing Away Deceptive Business Practices Forbes 30 July 2024 https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2024/07/30/washing-away-deceptive-business-practices/?streamIndex=0 9 May 2026 List AI washing Artwashing Bluewashing Farmwashing Greenwashing Humanewashing Openwashing Pinkwashing (breast cancer) Pinkwashing (LGBTQ); also known as rainbow-washing Purplewashing Redwashing Sanewashing Sportswashing Well-being washing Whitewashing (communications) Whitewashing in film References Category:English suffixes Category:Reputation management Category:Snowclones