That's an interesting paradox: I'd argue that anyone who became a Nazi because someone mistakenly called them a Nazi, wasn't mistakenly called a Nazi.

It is has support in psychology.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/intense-emotions-and-st...

It is why I've argued that the current toxic atmosphere is adding to the problem.

Interesting, I recently saw a quote from a prison psychologist that suggested the root cause of most violence was shame.

I thought that was profound, but I struggle to fit overuse of the word Nazi online into the same framework, indeed I find it much easier to fit the kind of opinions and behavior that people might refer to as 'Nazi'-like into this framework:

https://lakesideconnect.com/anger-and-violence/the-link-betw...

"Gilligan notes literally dozens of synonyms for shame: feelings of being slighted, insulted, disrespected, dishonored, disgraced, disdained, slandered, treated with contempt, ridiculed, teased, taunted, mocked, rejected, defeated, subjected to indignity; or, experiencing feelings of being weak, ugly, inadequate, incompetent, a failure, losing face; and being treated as if one were insignificant or worthless.

Based on his research and other expert opinions, Gilligan concludes that “the most potent stimulus of aggression and violence, and the one that is most reliable in eliciting this response is not the frustration per se, but rather, insult and humiliation (page 32).” In other words, the most effective, and often the only way, to provoke someone to become violent is to insult them."

Thanks for the link. I agree about the online use in most cases, unless the label sticks and people begin to believe it.

It works like that for a lot of people called "Nerd" as children.

The phenomenon is called a self fulfilling prophecy.