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[–][deleted] 10 insightful - 1 fun10 insightful - 0 fun11 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

In journalism, you used to write alleged before a conviction was made. Maybe it's their modern shoddy journalism shortcut of inferring a claim while avoiding libel lawsuits?

[–]fuckingsealions 8 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 0 fun9 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Yeah I think it's a not so sneaky way of quoting the article or interview subject without the publication making the claim itself.

[–]venecia 8 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 0 fun9 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

It's Schrodinger's Asshole, press edition. If it gets backlash, the airquotes indicate they were using the word ironically. If it gets good press, the word stands on its own.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

They can also be used as "scare quotes" to subtly pressure "intelligent readers" into wondering whether "given narratives" are what they should be "believing" anymore.

ETA: I always hear scare quotes in John Malkovich's voice for some reason. 🤔