What is PC in slang? An in-depth look at the many meanings of this common acronym

PC. Two simple letters that have come to mean so many different things. As a longtime tech geek and gaming enthusiast, I‘ve seen "PC" used in a variety of contexts and slang terms over the years. So as a public service to the uninitiated, let‘s do a deep dive into the myriad meanings of PC in modern slang and internet terminology!

PC as "Politically Correct"

This is by far the most common use of PC today – either earnestly or derisively referring to the careful avoidance of language and actions that marginalize disadvantaged groups.

PC culture has arisen from decades of advocacy to reduce discrimination against women, minorities, LGBTQ people and other marginalized groups. But it‘s also controversial, as critics argue it stifles free speech and rational debate.

Here are some examples of PC used in this context:

• "His views are not very politically correct."
• "That offensive term has been replaced with a more PC alternative."
• "She called out the speaker for not being PC."

Some data on the rise of PC:

• Use of the term "politically correct" took off in the 1990s, rising 5x from 1990 to 1994 according to Google Books data.

• 58% of Americans believe too many people are easily offended these days according to a 2019 Pew survey.

So PC has certainly entered the mainstream cultural lexicon, though not without controversy. It‘s also spawned counterterms like "politically incorrect", which some embrace as a badge of honor.

PC as "Personal Computer"

In tech contexts, PC is shorthand for personal computer, specifically computers running Windows rather than Mac, Linux or other operating systems. Some examples:

• "I built a custom gaming PC with top of the line graphics."
• "This laptop is great, but I prefer using a desktop PC for coding."
• "PC sales have declined thanks to the rise of smartphones."

Some quick stats on PC usage:

• There are over 1.5 billion personal computers in use globally as of 2022 according to Statista.
• 90% of computers run Windows worldwide, while macOS has around 7% market share per W3Schools.

So while ubiquitous, PCs and Windows still dominate the personal computing landscape. And hardcore PC gamers will be quick to remind you that PC reigns supreme for gaming.

PC as "Photo Credit"

On social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, you‘ll often see PC used to give photo credit when sharing an image you didn‘t take or create yourself. For example:

"Check out this amazing sunset! PC: @landscapephotoguy"

Some key stats on photo sharing and credits:

• There were over 1.2 trillion photos shared globally in 2021 according to a report from Mylio.

• In an Ipsos survey, 35% of Americans said they share other people‘s images without permission, while only 40% provide photo credits.

So clearly there‘s room for improvement when it comes to providing proper attribution! Using PC along with tagging the creator is a step in the right direction.

PC as "Protective Custody"

In the prison system, PC refers to separating vulnerable inmates from the general population to protect them from harm. These could include former police and government informants, LGBTQ individuals, sex offenders and high-profile prisoners like Duncan Hunter.

Some data points on protective custody:

• Approximately 4-8% of the US prison population is in protective custody according to a 2012 report.

• 1 in 5 inmates identify as LGBTQ, and are at increased risk of requiring protection from violence and discrimination.

So while vital for some prisoners‘ safety, PC is controversial given the restrictions and isolation it imposes. Calls for prison reform rightly emphasize reducing the dangers that make PC necessary.

Other Obscure Examples

PC has many less common slang meanings including:

• PC load letter – An infamous and confusing printer error message meaning the printer needs more paper loaded.
• PC police – A derogatory term for people enforcing political correctness or cancel culture.
• PC principal – Reference to an overzealous enforcer of PC on South Park.
• PC master race – Tongue in cheek description of Windows PC gamers flexing on Mac and console gamers.

So in summary, this two letter acronym has come to mean many things in our digital age! But most commonly it involves electronics, digital images, politics and free speech debates. I hope this explanation helps provide some clarity on the many definitions of PC. Personally, I don‘t mind a bit of political correctness, but as a proud PC gamer, I‘ll defend the PC master race to the end!