As a “tankie,” I disagree. Those who use the term certainly believe it to be along the lines you describe, I won’t contest that, but in actual use it’s a naked pejorative for all supporters of existing socialism. That support for existing socialism is the key part, not whether or not someone thinks the ideas sound cool, but instead what historical and contemporary movements we support. It isn’t even that those claiming to be socialists but oppose it in practice are more “idealistic,” the key question is on whether or not they support existing socialism.
Mostly I saw it used against campist (US vs Them) people here. Much less often against idealistic socialists or communists.
This might better explain: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbkkh6GWn5Y
As a “tankie,” I disagree. Those who use the term certainly believe it to be along the lines you describe, I won’t contest that, but in actual use it’s a naked pejorative for all supporters of existing socialism. That support for existing socialism is the key part, not whether or not someone thinks the ideas sound cool, but instead what historical and contemporary movements we support. It isn’t even that those claiming to be socialists but oppose it in practice are more “idealistic,” the key question is on whether or not they support existing socialism.