Recrimination

Recrimination is a noun that refers to the act of making a charge or accusation against another person, often in response to a prior accusation. It is frequently used in contexts involving quarrels, legal disputes, or diplomatic conflicts, where one party counters an allegation with its own claim. The term conveys mutual blame, with each side seeking to deflect wrongdoing onto the other.

The word originates from the Latin “recriminari,” meaning "to blame again," derived from “re-” (again) and “crimen” (charge). It entered Middle English in the 15th century as “recriminacioun” and later evolved into the modern form “recrimination.” The construction highlights the reciprocal nature of the accusation, suggesting a back-and-forth exchange of blame.

In legal parlance, a recrimination is a procedural defense used when a defendant challenges the prosecution’s evidence by alleging that the evidence in question was itself obtained illegally or based on false claims. In diplomatic language, recrimination can describe a country's retaliatory statements following an accusation made by another state, often used to highlight perceived hypocrisy.

Despite its somewhat formal tone, the term is applied outside specialized fields, for example in journalism or political commentary. It underscores the manner in which accusations can be traded, implying that such exchanges may obscure the underlying truth.