When I think of the word chauvinism, I immediately associate it with sexism, although it can also refer to biased support for any group. Historically, it was linked to extreme patriotism verging on the ridiculous, similar to jingoism. The term originates from Nicolas Chauvin of Rochefort, a likely fictional French veteran known for his exaggerated portrayal in vaudevilles about Napoleon and the First Republic. Over time, Chauvin became a comedic figure in France, leading to the term’s current definition. Interestingly, Chauvin’s surname, derived from the Latin Calvinus and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European klewo meaning “bald,” sheds light on the word’s origins. The usage of chauvinism peaked in literature during the early 1970s and has since declined.
