What is it?

Scare quotes are used to suggest that the writer does not agree with the term they are quoting, or that they think it is somehow inaccurate or illegitimate. It's a way of distancing oneself from a word.

Examples

How to Avoid This

If you disagree with a term, explain why, rather than just putting it in scare quotes. State your objection directly. 'He calls himself an expert, but his qualifications are questionable.'

How to Counter This

Ask why the word is in quotes. 'Why did you put 'expert' in quotation marks? Are you suggesting he is not really an expert?' This forces the person to make their criticism explicit.