What is "thoughtcrime"

n. A crime committed by having unorthodox, unofficial, controversial or socially unacceptable thoughts.

A thoughtcrime is an occurrence or instance of controversial or socially unacceptable thoughts. The term is also used to describe some theological concepts such as disbelief or idolatry, or a rejection of strong philosophical or social principles.

The term was popularized in the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, wherein thoughtcrime is the criminal act of holding unspoken beliefs or doubts that oppose or question the ruling party. In the book, the government attempts to control not only the speech and actions, but also the thoughts of its subjects. To entertain unacceptable thoughts is known as crimethink in Newspeak, the ideologically purified dialect of the party. "Crimestop" is a way to avoid crimethink by immediately purging dangerous thoughts from the mind.