An indirect or subtle suggestion that something bad or embarrassing is true, usually without saying it directly.
From Latin 'insinuare' meaning 'to wind in' or 'creep in,' combining 'in-' (into) and 'sinuare' (to wind). The meaning evolved from physically winding something into something else to subtly introducing an idea or accusation into someone's mind.
Insinuation is how rumors spread—by never stating something outright, just hinting at it until people believe it anyway. It's actually a clever linguistic trick that avoids direct accusation, which is why it was popular in historical courts and politics where you could get in trouble for speaking plainly.
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