How to talk like a socialist

It’s often difficult to tell what members of the Democratic Socialists of America are talking about. The socialist group has its own argot, which can make internal discussions all but inscrutable to outsiders. The organization also tries, with mixed success, to keep internal debates off social media, instead directing conversations to the DSA’s members-only discussion forum. But City & State has put together a handy guide that will have you talking like a comrade in no time.

Here are some key terms to know:

paper member – slang term for a DSA member who pays dues but does not otherwise participate in the organization; “They’re not really involved in DSA, just a paper member.”

cadre – a DSA member who is actively engaged in the organization and fully dedicated to its politics and strategy, the platonic ideal of a DSA-endorsed candidate; “Of course DSA is supporting Claire, she’s cadre.”

stack (for/against) – to speak in favor of or opposition to a specific proposal at a DSA meeting; “He stacked against endorsing Reynoso.”

Socialist in Office – a DSA-backed state or New York City lawmaker who meets regularly with DSA representatives to discuss legislative and political strategy and often votes as a bloc with fellow SIOs; “The SIOs voted against the austerity budget.”

Electoral Working Group – internal group responsible for recruiting NYC-DSA candidates for elected office and then coordinating with their campaigns; “EWG is hosting a candidate forum next week.”

NPC – National Political Committee, the 27-member national leadership body for the DSA elected at its biennial national convention, which is the DSA’s highest decision-making body in between conventions; “The NPC voted not to expel AOC.”

ultra – short for “ultraleftist” or “ultraliberal,” derogatory term for a DSA member who prioritizes ideological purity over winning and exercising power; “The ultras are attacking Zohran.”

SocDem – short for “social Democrat,” a progressive who supports expanding the social welfare state and regulating corporations but still supports a capitalist economy; “She’s a SocDem who voted for Warren.”

Beyond specific jargon, NYC-DSA also has an array of acronyms. Here are some of the most common ones.

AWWG – Anti-War Working Group, NYC-DSA group focused on foreign policy and anti-imperialismB&R – Bread & Roses, an internal caucus

B/UM – Bronx/Upper Manhattan branch of NYC-DSA

CBK – Central Brooklyn branch of NYC-DSA

CLC – Citywide Leadership Committee, 71-member leadership body for NYC-DSA

ETOC – Emergency Tenant Organizing Committee, a DSA project to help organize new tenant unions

EWG – Electoral Working Group (see above)

EWOC – Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee, joint project of the DSA and United Electric, Radio and Machine Workers of America to support workers looking to organize their workplace  

GW – Groundwork, an internal caucusIC – International Committee, national DSA group focused on foreign policy and anti-imperialismIJWG – Immigrant Justice Working Group, NYC-DSA group focused on defending immigrants’ rights and opposing ICE

LHV – Lower Hudson Valley DSA chapter

MHV – Mid-Hudson Valley DSA chapter

MUG – Marxist Unity Group, an internal caucus

NBK – North Brooklyn branch of NYC-DSA

NEC – National Electoral Commission, the DSA’s national group focused on electoral campaigns

NPC – National Political Committee (see above)

NYC-DSA – New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, representing the five boroughs

OC – Organizing Committee, the elected leadership of each working group or branchR&R – Reform & Revolution, an internal caucus

RJWG – Racial Justice Working Group, NYC-DSA group focused on defunding the NYPD and abolishing prisons

RS – Red Star, an internal caucus

SBK – South Brooklyn branch of NYC-DSA

SC – Steering Committee, a small group of elected leaders that runs an organization on a day-to-day basis; can refer to the 21-member subset of the Citywide Leadership Committee that runs NYC-DSA or the eight-member subset of the National Political Committee that runs the national DSA

SIO – Socialist in Office (see above)

SMC – Socialist Majority Caucus, an internal caucus

SOR – Springs of Revolution, an internal network of members

TRBA – Trans Rights and Bodily Autonomy Working Group, NYC-DSA group focused on defending trans rights and abortion accessYDSA – Young Democratic Socialists of America, the DSA’s youth and student section with chapters on college campuses