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Glite Dictionary
Prop H8

Prop H8

9.8
An insulting name for the 2008 California vote that opposed same-sex marriage
  • noun
  • Offensive
translation icon : [término ofensivo para la Proposición 8]
  • The slogan 'No on Prop H8' appeared on signs across the country.

Examples

  • Supporters of marriage equality frequently spoke out against Prop H8 in public forums.

  • Many activists gathered to protest Prop H8 outside the court building.

  • Many activists campaigned against Prop H8 in 2008.

  • The Prop H8 debate ignited fierce discussions across California.

  • Supporters of marriage equality frequently spoke out against Prop H8 in public forums.

  • The slogan 'No on Prop H8' appeared on signs across the country.

  • Many activists gathered to protest Prop H8 outside the court building.

Surface Forms

Prop H8 singular
Prop H8s plural

Morphology

Prop + H8

This is a culturally specific, politically charged nickname that relies on abbreviation ('Prop' for proposition) and orthographic wordplay ('H8' as a visual pun on '8' and 'hate' / the ballot number). A B1 learner who only knows the literal constituents would not be able to derive the derogatory reference to California Proposition 8, so the meaning is not compositionally predictable.

Etymology

Prop H8 comes from 'Proposition 8' and the shorthand H8, which is read like the word 'hate'. People used Prop H8 as a critical nickname to show they thought the measure was hateful, so the name stuck as a way to protest the 2008 vote that 'opposed same-sex marriage'.