recriminationn.
/rᵻˌkrɪmᵻˈneɪʃn/, U.S. /rəˌkrɪməˈneɪʃ(ə)n/, /riˌkrɪməˈneɪʃ(ə)n/ 1. Originally: the action of making an accusation, esp. (and formerly always) a countercharge or counter-accusation. Now usually: the action of reprimanding or criticizing; reproach.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > refutation, disproof > [noun] > by turning argument against opponent
retorting1509
retortion1574
recrimination1585
retorsion1624
retortment1649
discriminationa1670
whataboutery1974
whataboutism1978
1585 True & Plaine Declar. of Horrible Treasons W. Parry 6 He notwithstanding would not yet yeelde to confesse it, but very proudly and insolently opposed his credit against the credit of Neuil, affirming that his No was as good as Neuills Yea, and as by way of recrimination obiected the crime to Neuil himselfe.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues (at cited word) A recrimination, an accusation of an accuser.
1632 in S. R. Gardiner Rep. Cases Star Chamber & High Comm. (1886) 147 The Defendants answere that this Bill is a bill of recrimination.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ i. iv. §10 His Compurgators..have sought to make good his credit by recrimination.
1701 W. Darrell tr. G. Daniel Disc. Cleander & Eudoxus iii. 72 If they wou'd but reflect upon the causes that produc'd this master-piece of calumny. All the world knows, that this work, is a work of recrimination.
1728 C. Cibber Vanbrugh's Provok'd Husband iii. i. 50 A smart Repartee, with a Zest of Recrimination at the Head of it, makes the prettiest Sherbet!
1771 E. Burke Lett. (1960) II. 263 Avoiding all offensive Terms or any kind of recrimination on their accusers.
1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe II. vii. 103 ‘This is unprofitable and perilous recrimination,’ answered De Bracy.
1860 J. L. Motley Hist. United Netherlands I. iv. 117 When, after so much talking and tampering, there began to be recrimination among the leaguers.
1876 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 2nd Ser. ii. 63 The dispute lasted for some years, with much mutual recrimination.
1915 W. S. Maugham Of Human Bondage xlix. 247 He shrugged his shoulders: there was no use in recrimination. He hated the little man and wanted to have done with him as soon as possible.
1920 B. W. Sinclair Poor Man's Rock 286 She lived for herself, her codfish-aristocracy standards, spending my money like water to make a showing, giving me nothing in return, nothing but whining and recrimination if I crossed her ever so little.
1963 A. Baraka Blues People iii. 27 Just as the African songs of recrimination survive as a highly competitive game called ‘the dozens’.
1989 L. Kennedy On my Way to Club ii. 36 Forgetting to post a letter or spilling ink on my trousers, always resulted in a flood of recrimination.
2002 B July 59 Oh, and while you're on the phone, we can nip off to the other room and immerse ourselves in footie or some other blokey TV without fear of recrimination.
2. Usually in plural. Originally: an accusation, esp. one made in response to an accuser. Now usually: an expression of reprimand or criticism, a reproach.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > refutation, disproof > [noun] > by turning argument against opponent > instance of
retortion1600
recrimination1604
recharge1637
tu quoque1671
counter-motion1893
1604 R. Parsons Relation Triall before King of France 230 His new booke, conteyninge..a heap or fardell of recriminations gathered togeather against auncient Popes, Councells, synods, historiographers, and other Catholike wryters.
1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) 84 Conclusion, denying his recriminacion.
1650 J. Row & J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) 502 It contained many recriminations and fowll aspersions.
1698 W. Congreve Amendments Mr. Collier's False & Imperfect Citations 93 I have now gone thorough with all Mr. Collier's Quotations; I have been as short as I could possibly in their Vindication; I have avoided all Recriminations, and have not so much as made one Citation from any of my Plays in favour of them.
a1721 J. Sheffield Wks. (1753) II. 101 Neither will I take up your Lordships time with recriminations.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa V. xlv. 311 Let me beg of you, before you speak, to forbear all further recriminations. For already I have such a sense of my vileness to you, that I know not how to bear the reproaches of my own mind.
1788 A. Hamilton Federalist Papers vii. 38 Delinquencies, from whatever causes, would be productive of complaints, recriminations, and quarrels.
1817 I. D'Israeli Curiosities of Lit. 1st Ser. III. 425 The recriminations of politicians are the confessions of great sinners.
1850 G. Grote Hist. Greece VIII. ii. lxiv. 283 When they heard the criminations and recriminations between the generals on one side and Theramenês on the other.
1889 Polit. Sci. Q. 4 127 These are the chief, but not the only grounds of popular disaffection... The government's foreign policy alone might furnish matter for a volume of recriminations.
1902 W. James Varieties Relig. Experience xvi. 380 In this way we shall save verbal disputation, and the recriminations that generally go therewith.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses iii. 596 The listeners..followed the passage of arms with interest so long as they didn't indulge in recriminations and come to blows.
1955 S. H. Adams Grandfather Stories 248 Everybody began to shout. Politics, prophecies and recriminations crossed in the smoky air. ‘—best thing for the town’..‘dummock’—‘pack o' scrimshankers’—‘Federalist muckworm!’—‘poxy Democrat!’
1989 M. Forster Have Men had Enough? (1990) 35 Not that Grandma stood in her way. There were no scenes, no recriminations, absolutely no attempts at moral blackmail.
2003 Independent 19 July i. 1/2 Immediately, the blame game began as those involved sought to shrug off the recriminations and pass them on to someone else.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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