thought police en · NOUN
Etymology
Originally used in the first half of the twentieth century as an epithet for the Special Higher Police, although it is arguable that its popularity in modern usage stems primarily from the synonymous organization in George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), which is responsible for monitoring all citizens and making sure they are not guilty of political dissent or thoughtcrime.
Meanings
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(figuratively) A group that aims to control the thoughts of others.
My mother would make a good thought police.
These journalists are on their way to becoming thought police.
Steve Smith: Why does a free society have a fucking thought police?
2021, Paradox Interactive, Hearts of Iron IV, The New Order: Last Days of Europe Mod, scene: Entry 10: The "Free" Territory:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| thought police | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Translations (17)
ja 思想警察 (a group that aims to control what other people think) · he משטרת המחשבות (a group that aims to control what other people think) · cmn 思想警察 (a group that aims to control what other people think) · pt polícia do pensamento (a group that aims to control what other people think) · es policía del pensamiento (a group that aims to control what other people think) · sv tankepolis (a group that aims to control what other people think) · cy heddlu meddwl (a group that aims to control what other people think) · fi ajatuspoliisi (a group that aims to control what other people think) · ru поли́ция мы́слей (a group that aims to control what other people think) · it psicopolizia (a group that aims to control what other people think) · da tankepoliti (a group that aims to control what other people think) · no tankepoliti (a group that aims to control what other people think) · pl policja myśli (a group that aims to control what other people think) · de Gedankenpolizei (a group that aims to control what other people think) · sh полиција мисли (a group that aims to control what other people think) · ar بوليس الفكر (a group that aims to control what other people think) · fr police de la pensée (a group that aims to control what other people think)
wikipedia: Nineteen Eighty-Four · wikipedia: Special Higher Police