I have a distinct memory, dating back to 1989 or so, of sitting around with my college dorm mates talking about a new term that was popping up everywhere: 'political correctness.'

In this quote, Meghan Daum reflects on a memory from her time in college around 1989, when the term "political correctness" first began to gain widespread attention. She recalls sitting with her dorm mates, discussing this emerging concept, which was becoming a common part of public discourse. Daum's mention of this moment suggests that political correctness was starting to shape conversations and social expectations, particularly in academic or intellectual settings, where ideas about language and behavior were being scrutinized.

Daum’s recollection also highlights how the concept of political correctness was initially introduced and discussed within smaller, more intimate groups before it became a larger cultural phenomenon. Her reference to it as something "popping up everywhere" indicates that, at the time, political correctness was still a relatively new and evolving idea, one that was being debated and defined. This shows how certain social movements or ideas often start in specific communities before they are widely adopted or critiqued.

The fact that Daum remembers this conversation so vividly suggests the significance of political correctness as an evolving social force. It implies that the term was one of the first to really challenge how people thought about language, behavior, and sensitivity in social interactions. What started as a small discussion in a college dorm would later become a central part of larger cultural and political debates about free speech, inclusivity, and social justice.

Ultimately, Daum’s quote highlights the evolution of political correctness from a niche concept discussed in private settings to a major societal issue that would influence public dialogue for decades. It underscores how certain ideas can gradually gain momentum, influencing cultural conversations and shaping how people navigate issues of identity, respect, and communication in both personal and public spheres.