POLITICS
ADJECTIVES
► ABSTENIONIST characterized by the practise of political abstention → 1857
► ACTIVIST undertaking vigorous political or social campaigning → 1917
► ALL-PARTY involving or relating to all political parties; involving all the parties who have an interest in a matter → 1908
► ANARCHIC characterized by social or political disorder that results from the absence or disregard of government or the rule of law → 1656
► ANSCHLUSSED in politics: affected by political annexation; united → 1938
► APOLITICAL not interested in or concerned with political issues → 1938
► BLIMPISH having reactionary views → 1938 sl., derogatory
► DOVISH in politics: inclined to advocate negotiation and conciliation → M16
► JUICED IN enjoying powerful political connections → 1995 US sl.
► PINK said of one who holds left-of-centre views → 1927 sl., derogatory
► PINKO holding left-of-centre or mildly Communist views → 1936 sl., derogatory
► POLITITIOUS political → 1638 obs.
► RED communist, socialist, left-wing → M19 sl.
► RIGHT-ON used approvingly to denote one of politically progressive views → 1970 sl., orig. US
► ROCK-RIBBED resolute, uncompromising, esp. in political allegiance → 1776
NOUNS
► ABJURATION official repudiation on oath of a political or other pinciple → 1621
► ABSOLUTISM the practice of absolute government; absolute authority → 1824
► ABSTENTIONISM non-participation in an established political process → 1876
► ABSTINENCE in political economy: an abstaining from or delaying expenditure in order to accumulate capital → 1836 obs.
► ACCESSION the joining of a nation or state to an economic and political union or organization → 1704
► ACTION a political act, often confrontational or violent → 1971 US sl.
► ACTION FACTION a subset of the political left that advocated forceful, confrontational tactics → 1968 US sl.
► ACTIVISM the use of vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change → 1920
► ADVENTURE a political or military action or policy, especially one considered reckless or potentially hazardous → 1878
► ADVENTURISM in politics: the tendency in a government or politician to take risks in the management of national affairs, especially in foreign policy → 1918
► AGGRUPATION ► AGRUPATION a political organization → 1905 Philippine English
► AGITATION an arousing of public concern about a political or other issue, by appeals, discussion, propaganda, etc., in order to bring about action → 1829
► AGRO-POLITICS the politics of agriculture; politics as influenced by agriculture → 1960
► AISLE in US politics: the division between Republicans and Democrats, as represented by the central aisle that traditionally separates the two parts in us US senate and House of Representatives → 1882
► ALARMISM a tendency to exaggerate potential dangers, especially in political or social matters, and hence create needless worry or panic → 1858
► ALIGNMENT in politics: the grouping of parties, powers, etc., on the basis of shared political goals → 1866
► ALLIANCE PARTY any of various parties formed from or representing a union of two or more parties, factions, etc. → 1920
► AMBASSADE 1. a political or diplomatic mission or negotiation → 1417
2. a group sent on a political or diplomatic mission → 1425 obs.
► AMBASSADY a group or person sent on a political or diplomatic mission → 1497
► AMBASSAGE 1. a political or diplomatic mission → 1534
2. a group or person sent on a political or diplomatic mission → 1540 obs.
► AMBASSY a political or diplomatic mission or negotiation → 1625
► ANARCHISM the belief that society is best organized according to voluntary cooperation, without any form of governing authority or hierarchy; advocacy of this, especially as a political movement → 1811
► ANCIENT REGIME any political or social system that has been displaced by another → 1809
► ANGLICANISM the advocacy of English political or economic interests → 1829 obs.
► ANNOUNCEABLE a policy, initiative, etc., announced by a government in order to attract good publicity → 1992 colloq.
► ANTI-AUTHORITARIANISM opposition to the undue exercise of political authority → 1915
► ANTIFA a political protest movement comprising autonomous groups affiliated by their militant opposition to fascism and other forms of extreme right-wing ideology → 1965
► APOLITICISM lake of interest in or avoidance of political issues → 1937
► ARISTOCRACY political supremacy of a privileged order → 1577
► ASTROTURFING a falsely suggesting public or grass-roots support for a policy, product, movement, etc., through the use of an organized campaign which simulates such support → 1993
► ATMOSPHERICS in US politics: actions or information that affect and influence public perception of events → 1949
► AUTARKY economic self-sufficiency in a political unit → 1934
► AUTONOMISM in politics: autonomy as a political system; advocacy or belief in the right or condition of self-government → 1874
► BACKSET a reversal in one’s personal or political affairs → 1816 Amer. dial.
► BARREL money for use in a political campaign, esp. for corrupt purposes → 1884 US political sl.
► BARREL-CAMPAIGN a political contest in which bribery is lavishly employed → 1884 US
► BIG LIE, THE a major political misrepresentation or complex of misrepresentations frequently repeated by political leaders in the hope that it will eventually be believed → 1948 US
► BOYS, THE in the 19th century, corrupt politicians or their hangers-on → 1815 Amer. sl.
► BUNKUM political speaking or action not from conviction, but in order to gain the favour of electors, or make a show of patriotism, or zeal; political-clap-trap → 1850 US
► CABAL a political clique; a faction → M17
► CULTURE WAR a political struggle for control of cultural and educational institutions → 1879
► DECAPITATION in US politics: summary dismissal from office → 1869
► DIRECT ACTION a political act, esp. a violent one that may lead to arrest → 1968 US sl.
► DISTEMPER a political disorder → 1645 US
► DOROTHY DIX a parliamentary question which the respondent knows will be asked, intended to prompt a prepared reply → 1941 Aust. political usage
► DOROTHY DIXER a pre-arranged question put to a Minister in parliament for which he or she has a prepared answer → 1970 Aust. political usage
► DOUGHNUTTING the clustering of politicians round a speaker during a televised parliamentary debate, esp. in order to give the impression that the speaker is well supported or to conceal low attendance → 1989 parliament sl., chiefly Brit.
► DUCK-SHOVING fighting for status, rank, position, esp. in political terms; in gambling: manipulating, using sleight of hand → 1910 Aust. & NZ sl.
► LIMPS, THE the Liberals → L19 Brit. political sl.
► LINE political philosophy → 1968 US sl.
► MACHINE the controlling organization of a political party → 1876 US politics
► MACHINE, THE in big city politics: the over-arching political organization that runs all facets of life → 1992 US sl.
► MONEYOCRACY the moneyed class as a dominant political force → 1834
► MONGOOSE GANG a group of thugs working for a politician and acting as a form of private army/secret police → 1950 W. Indies sl.
► PEANUT POLITICS small, mean, underhand, or Congressional politics → 1926 US sl. (Bk.)
► POLITICAL, THE that which is political; politics → 1845
► POLITICAL FOOTBALL a subject of contentious political debate; an issue not resolved by succeeding governments → 1833
► POLITICALS political matters, political ideas; politics → 1621
► POLITICIDE a killing or extermination of a particular group because of its political or ideological beliefs → 1968
► POLITICIDE a course of action which is irreparably damaging to one’s political career → 1974
► POLITICO-MANIA a passion for, or an obsession with, politics → 1785
► POLITICOPHOBIA an irrational fear of politics or politicians → 1830
► POLITRICKS politics. regarded as characterized by dishonesty or self-interest; the use of underhand methods to achieve political ends regarded as self-serving or contemptible → 1908 sl., chiefly Jamaican, depreciative usage
► POLY FOLLY political philosophy → 1970 US students’ sl. (Bk.)
► PORK federal funds obtained through political influence → 1879 US sl.
► PORK BARREL the state’s funds available for regional expenditure, esp. as disbursed subject to political influence → 1909 orig. & chiefly US sl.
► REDS, THE communists, socialists → 20C sl.
► SCALLYWAGGERY roguery, political opportunism → L19 sl.
► SCALLYWAGISM roguery, political opportunism → L19 sl.
► SLEAZE political corruption; the payment of money to politicians in return for political influence → 1983 sl., orig. US
► SMART MOB a large group of people organized by means of mobile phones or other wireless devices who assemble together or act collectively, typically for political purposes → 2002
► STRIPE persons of the same political colour → 1856 Amer.
► SWING a political campaign tour → 1905
► SWING AROUND THE CIRCLE a campaigning tour of a constituency or larger area → 1905
► U-TURN a reversal of political policy → 1984 UK sl.
► WHITE MONEY money, esp. an illegal political contribution, that has been provided with a legitimate history and provenience → 1980s sl.
NOUNS – PERSON
► ABSOLUTIST a supporter of absolute government → 1799
► ABSTENTIONIST a person who refrains from exercising his or her vote → 1857
► ABSTRACTIONIST in US politics: a doctrinaire supporter or advocate of states’ rights, typically from one of the Southern states → 1841 mainly depreciative
► ACCOMMODATIONIST a person considered willing to compromise with opponents in order to preserve political stability → 1832
► ACTIVIST a person engaged in or advocating vigorous political activity; an active campaigner → 1920
► ADDRESSER in politics: a person who puts forward or supports a political declaration or petition → 1643
► ADULLAMITE a member of a group of British MPs who, in 1866, opposed a programme of parliamentary reform intended to extend the franchise, and seceded from the ruling Liberal Party; hence, a member of any dissident political group → 1866
► ADVANCER a person with progressive or liberal political views → 1833
► ADVENTURIST a person inclined to political or military adventurism (see noun) → 1920
► AMALGAMIST a person in favour of the amalgamation of political parties → 1824 orig. US
► ANGEL a person who contributes to a politician’s campaign fund → 1920 Amer. sl.
► ANGRY YOUNG MAN a young man who is dissatisfied with and outspoken against existing social and political structures → 1951
► ANTAGONIST an opponent in politics, etc. → 1555
► ANTI-AUTHORITARIAN a person who is opposed to the undue exercise of political authority → 1896
► ANTI-MARKETEER in British politics: a person who opposed the UK’s entry into, or membership of, the European Common Market, or the organizations that succeed it → 1961
► APPARATCHIK a member of a political party in any country, who is responsible for the execution of policy → 1969
► ARM WAVER a politician → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► ASSASSINIST a person who advocates the use of assassinations especially in a political ideological conflict → 1612
► ASYLEE a person who is seeking or who has been granted political asylum → 1950
► BABY-KISSER a person campaigning for votes in his quest for elected political office; a politician who seeks to please the public by showing exaggerated interest in it → 1908 sl.
► BACKER one who supports a particular candidate, issue, or party → 1980 Amer. political usage (Bk.)
► BAGMAN a person who directs finances in a political campaign → 1976 Can. sl.
► BARNBURNER a radical member of the Democratic party of New York State → 1841 Amer. political sl.
► BARNSTORMER a politician making a rapid tour delivering campaign speeches, typically in rural areas → 1990 Amer. political sl.
► BELLMARE a political leader: mostly in contempt → 1891 US sl. (Bk.)
► BELL-RINGER a local politician → 1975 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► B’HOY a political henchman → 1938 Amer. dial.
► BIG NOISE a senior officer, politician, or anyone with considerable authority → 1915 World War I sl.
► BIGWIG a powerful, important person; a person of consequence; one high in authority or rank; often a politician or bureaucrat → 1703 often derogatory
► BLACKSHIRT a member of a fascist party; spec. a member of Italy’s National Fascist Party (Partito Nazionale Fascista) (1921–43), or of the British Union of Fascists (1932–40); also, more generally, a person with fascist tendencies → 1922
► BLIMP someone with reactionary views → 1934 sl., derogatory
► BOSS the head of a political machine → 1860 Amer. sl.
► BUMMER a politician or public official who is idle or corrupt; a hanger-on of a political party’s officers → 1872 US sl., obs.
► CABINET-MAKER one who constructs a political cabinet → 1884
► CABINET MINISTER in the UK, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries: a member of a parliamentary cabinet → 1817
► CACIQUE in Spanish politics: a man who owes his ascendancy to his power or influence; a political ‘boss’ → 1872
► CARPETBAGGER a person who interferes in local politics without being a true part of the local community → 1868 US sl.
► CHAMPAGNE SOCIALIST one who preaches socialism but espouses a capitalist lifestyle → 1990 sl.
► CHINAMAN one who has and dispenses political influence → 1971 Amer. dial.
► CHRIST-KILLER a noisy political orator → 1930 US sl.
► COLONEL BLIMP someone with reactionary views → 1934 sl., derogatory
► COMMIE a Communist → 1939 sl., often derogatory
► COMMO a Communist → 1941 sl., often derogatory
► COMRAT a political liberal → 1951 US sl., derogatory
► CROTCHETEER a person with a crotchet; esp. one who pushes or obtrudes his crotchets in politics, etc. → 1815
► CROTCHET-MONGER a person having crotchets on political and other questions and obtrusively advocates them → 1874
► DEM a Democrat → 1875 US colloq.
► DEMMY a Democrat → 1840 US political sl.
► DOVE in politics: a person who believes in a policy of negotiation and conciliation rather than warfare or confrontation → M20
► DRY a Conservative politician who advocates individual responsibility, free trade, and economic stringency, and opposes high government spending → 1983 Brit. sl., derogatory
► FAIRY (STORY) a Tory politician → 1992 Brit. rhyming sl.
► FLESH-PRESSER a politician → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► FRONT PORCHER a political candidate who is reluctant to campaign widely → 1977 US political sl.
► FUNDI ► FUNDIE ► FUNDY a fundamentalist politician; a member of the radical left wing of the German Green Party → 1982 sl.
► GAMMON a right-wing White male, supportive of ‘Little Englander’ nationalism and its political/philosophical coevals → 2018 sl.
► GEOPOLITICIAN an expert in or student of geopolitics; a proponent of the theory of geopolitics (politics, esp. relations between states, as influenced by geographical factors) → 1934
► GERRYMANDERER one who manipulates in order to gain an unfair advantage, esp. in politics → 1884 US
► GINGER GROUP politicians actively impatient with their own party → 1934 political sl.
► GLAD-HANDER a person, often a politician, who greets others effusively and often insincerely; one who acts more friendly or more optimistic than necessary; one who seeks self-aggrandizement through flattery and feigned cordiality → 1918 Amer. political sl.
► GOO-GOO a supporter of political reform → L19 US sl.
► GRAFTER a person, esp. a politician or official, who takes advantage of his position to gain money or property unethically or illegally, as by taking bribes, levying extortion, diverting funds, etc. → 1901 orig. political & journalistic usage
► GROUPIST an adherent of a ‘group’ or selection of a political party → 1895
► GUT-FIGHTER in politics: a candidate or political operative who wages an unusually aggressive uncompromising campaign, esp. against a politically stronger opponent → 1962 Amer. sl.
► HACK 1. anyone who acts as a ‘yes-man’, esp. in politics → 1950 sl.
2. a labour organizer belonging to the Communist Party of the United States → 1967 Amer. sl.
► HARD HAT a very conservative right-winger; a reactionary → 1970 US sl.
► HARD MAN an uncompromising politician or businessman → 1976 UK sl.
► HEELER a political fellow ready to do dirty work; one who is at the heel of a political boss → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► HIGH-BINDER a fraudulent politician; a political conspirator or blackmailer → 1890 US sl.
► HORSE a congressman who introduces or supports a lobbyist’s bill → 1989 US political usage
► JACK a Jacksonian Democrat → 1830 Amer. political sl.
► JACKASS a Democrat → 1926 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► JUNKYARD DOG a politician who is adept at investigating corruption → 1980s US sl.
► KINGFISH a political leader → 2009 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► LABOR FAKER a political agitator among workers → 1938 US sl.
► LACKEY an obsequious person; a today; a servile political follower → L16
► LACQUEY a political hanger-on → 1939
► LAME DUCK in politics, an elected official or legislative body whose term of office is nearing an end, esp. a legislator still in office after losing an election or a US president not running for re-election → 1910 US sl.
► LEFTIE ► LEFTY a left-winger; a person of liberal or socialist political beliefs; a radical → 1935 sl., usually derogatory
► LOG-ROLLER a politician who engages in the corrupt giving of mutual aid → E19 sl.
► MACHINIST a ‘machine’ politician (see noun 1876) → 1883 US
► MANDARIN a senior civil servant, politician, or commentator → 1910 sl.
► MICKEY MOUSE a candidate who has an easy victory → 1980 Amer. political sl. (Bk.)
► MOD a person who holds moderate views in politics, religion, etc. → 1907 Sc. Church Hist.
► MODERNIZER in politics: a person who supports or works towards the modernization of a political party or system, esp. as regards ideological reform → 1970
► MOOCHER a politician who takes graft or who ‘bolts’ (opposes his or her party’s position) → 1915 Amer. World War I sl.
► MOSES a political candidate who is seen to be metaphorically roaming the desert of the talk show circuit instead of focusing on specific issues → 1993 (Bk.)
► MR. CLEAN someone who makes a point of portraying themselves (sincerely or otherwise) as free of corruption, esp. in politics, business, sport or other forms of public life in which a proclaimed moral stance is useful; an honourable or incorruptible politician → 1973 sl.
► MUGWUMP a person who remains aloof from party politics, professing political disinterest → 1884 chiefly N. Amer.
► PALM-PRESSER a politician → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► PARLOUR PINK someone whose professed left-wing principles are insincere or not matched by their lifestyle → 1929 sl., derogatory
► PEANUT POLITICIAN one addicted to mean and paltry tricks → 1854 Amer.
► PIE EATER a contemptible person; a fool; a country bumpkin; also, a person who accepts political favours → 1891 US sl., derogatory
► PINK someone who holds left-of-centre (but not far-left) views → 1927 sl., derogatory
► PINKIE ► PINKY someone who holds left-of-centre or mildly Communist views → 1973 sl., derogatory
► PINKO someone who holds left-of-centre or mildly Communist views → 1936 sl., derogatory
► POL a politician → 1942 Amer. sl.
► POLITIAN an expert in politics; a politician → 1584 obs.
► POLITIC a politician → 1559 arch.
► POLITICAL a politician; a political writer → 1833
► POLITICASTER an inadequate or contemptible politician → 1641 arch., derogatory
► POLITICIANER a politician → 1838 Amer. dial.
► POLITICIANESS female politician; a woman who is an expert in politics → 1785
► POLITICIST a political scientist; a person who studies political groups or actions → 1856
► POLITICKER a politician, esp. one motivated by political expediency; a person who engages in political activity out of self-interest → 1604 chiefly depreciative usage
► POLITICKO an ambitious or unscrupulous politician → 1893 UK sl.
► POLITICO a politician → 1630 sl., usually derogatory
► POLITICONE a politician → a1734 obs., derogatory
► POLITIQUE a politician, esp. a pragmatic or unprincipled one → 1581 often derogatory
► POLITIST a politician; a student of or a writer on politics → 1598
► POLITITIONER a politician → 1859 Amer. dial.
► POLLY a politician → 1932 Aust. & NZ sl.
► POLLYWOG a person, esp. a politician, who is considered untrustworthy → 1854
► POLY a politician → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► POT-HOUSE POLITICIAN a politician of low aims and motives; a professional politician, ignorant, irresponsible, and often venal → 1780
► PROG someone who is progressive in their political or social views → 1958 sl.
► PROMISING POLITICAN one who makes many promises → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PULLITICIAN a politician with ‘pull’ or influence → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► QUIDNUNC a politician → 1886 sl.
► QUOCKERWODGER a politician acting in accordance with the instructions of an influential third party, rather than properly representing their constituents → M19 sl.
► RAD a person who advocates radical or far-reaching political or social reform; a member of a political party or part of a party pursuing such aims → 1820
► RADDIE a political radical → 1964 UK sl.
► RADICAL a person who advocates radical or far-reaching political or social reform; a member of a political party or part of a party pursuing such aims; now also a revolutionary, esp. left-wing → 1822
► RADICAL RIGHTIST an extreme conservative in politics → 1982 US (Bk.)
► RADICLIB a radical liberal in politics → 1970 Amer. sl.
► RAD-LIB a radical liberal in politics → 1970 Amer. sl.
► RAT a person who deserts his or her party, side, or cause; a person puts personal considerations before political principles, departs radically from the official party line, or adopts the political beliefs of a rival party → 1755
► RED an anarchist or republican, a Russian Bolshevik, or a Communist or extreme socialist → 1851 sl., derogatory
► REDNECK a reactionary → 1960 sl., orig. US
► RED-RAGGER a Communist or socialist → 1916 Aust. sl., derogatory
► SACHEM a political leader; one of the leaders of New York’s Tammany Society → 19C US sl.
► SACRIFICE HITTER in politics: a candidate who runs for the good of the party and other candidates, but who is likely to lose → 1957
► SATCH any man who talks a lot; esp. a gossip, a politician, etc.; often used as a nickname → 1945 Amer. sl.
► SCALAWAG ► SCALLAWAG ► SCALLOWAG ► SCALLYWAG an impostor or intriguer, especially in politics; a corrupt politician; in U.S. Hist., a native white of the southern states who was willing to accept the terms of Reconstruction after the US Civil War (1861-5) → 1864
► SCATTERTATIONIST ‘a political quibbler who neutralizes their force by pursuing their crotchety views upon every minor point and by co-operating with nobody’ → 1877 US (Bk.)
► SHELLBACK someone with reactionary views → 1943 sl.
► SHOO-IN a political candidate considered certain to win → 1948 US sl.
► SILK-STOCKING a member of a branch of the Whig party in the earlier part of the 19th century → 1895 US politics
► SILVER-GRAY a Conservative → 1856 US politics
► SNOLLYGOSTER a pretentious, boastful fellow; a shrewd, unprincipled fellow, especially a politician → 1846 US sl.
► SORE-HEAD a dissatisfied or disappointed politician → 1862 US political sl.
► SPIN DOCTOR a political press agent or publicist employed to promote a favourable interpretation of events to journalists → 1984 colloq., orig. US
► SPINMEISTER a ‘spin doctor’, esp. an accomplished or politically powerful one; an expert at presenting information or events to the media in a favourable light → 1986 colloq.
► STRADDLE-BUG a politician who tries to please both sides; one who is on neither side of a public question → 1872
► SUSHI SOCIALIST one who preaches socialism but espouses a capitalist lifestyle → 1990 sl.
► SWALLOWTAILS business and professional men who engage in politics → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► TADPOLE a professional politician or hack of a political party → 1885
► TANKIE ► TANKY a member of the former British Community Party who supported hardline (esp. interventionist) Soviet politics → 1985 sl.
► UNTOUCHABLE a person or politician insusceptible of bribery → 1933 US criminals’ sl.
► VELCROID a person who seeks the company of the powerful or famous in an attempt to borrow glory by proximity → 1991 Amer. political sl.
► WARD HEELER a low-ranking associate or flunky of a political boss; a menial crony → 1890 US sl.
► WARLORD a high-level member of a political organization → 1991 US sl.
► WAR-HORSE a veteran soldier or politician; a person full of warlike memories → 1884
► WEALSMAN one devoted to the public weal; a statesman, a politician → 1607 obs.
► WET a Conservative politician with liberal or middle-of-the-road views (often applied to those opposed to the monetarist policies of Margaret Thatcher) → 1980 Brit. sl., derogatory
► WINGER a member of a political wing, right or left → 1964 colloq.
► WINGNUT a person on the far right or left politically → 2006 Amer. political sl. (Bk.)
► WIRE PULLER one who seeks to use personal influence to gain advantages and favours; powerful political partisan who does their work like a hidden spring ‘behind the scenes’ → 1826 Amer. sl.
► WONK a political professional who is studious and therefore well informed → 1962 US sl., derogatory
► YELLOW DOG in US politics: orig. a political candidate, esp. one lacking qualifications or experience, who is expected to win an election based on voters’ loyalty to a particular party; spec., in later use, a Democratic candidate of this kind; now chiefly: a steadfast supporter of the Democratic Party, esp. one from a southern state → 1883 US
► YELLOW DOG DEMOCRAT a Southern expression for a Democrat who will vote for whoever the party’s candidate is, even a yellow dog; a steadfast Democrat party loyalist → 1911 Amer. political sl.
► YESTERDAY’S MAN a man, esp. a politician, whose career is finished or past its peak → 2004 (Bk.)
► YOUNG BLOOD a young energetic member of a political party → 1922 (Bk.)
► YOUNG SCRATCHER a Republican in the 1880 presidential campaign opposed to old-guard ‘machine’ politics → 1880 Amer. political sl.
► YOUNG TURK a young person eager for radical change to the established order; a contentious young person who goes against the system → 1929
► ZEALATOR a zealot; esp. a person who is excessively, immoderately, or fanatically devoted to cause or ideal, esp. a religious or political one → 1585
► ZOON POLITIKON a political animal, a person who is interested in or concerned about political issues, or who actively participates in politics → 1895
VERBS
► ABSTAIN FROM BEANS to desist from politics → 1920 sl.
► AGITATE to keep a political issue constantly under discussion, so as to arouse public concern and bring about action → 1828
► ANNIHILATE to put an end to the authority or control of a political regime → 1610
► ANOINT to appoint a person to an important political position → 1857
► APOSTASISE ► APOSTASIZE to abandon a political principle or party → 1895
► BORK to mount an intense campaign against a political appointee → 1980s US sl.
► CROWD THE MOURNERS to add some further embarrassment to politicians labouring under difficulties → 1913 Amer. political sl. (Bk.)
► DO A MACDONALD to desert one’s party → 1930 Brit. Labour leaders’ usage
► FEED THE CHOOKS of a politician; to submit to a barrage of reporters and TV cameras, and give out morsels of information → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► HAVE A CHINAMAN (now considered offensive) to have political influence → 1973 Amer. sl.
► HORSE-SHED to attempt to influence individual voters, witnesses, or jurors, esp. while feigning impartiality → 1846 US law & political usage
► MUGWUMP to remain aloof or independent, esp. politically → 1889 US
► POLITIC to engage in political activity, esp. in order to strike political bargains or to seek votes; to campaign → 1892
► POLITIZE to play the politician; to dispute as politicians do; to treat politically or diplomatically; to deal in politics → 1598 obs.
► PRESS THE FLESH to greet potential supporters by shaking their hands → 1926 sl., orig. & chiefly US
► RAT to desert a party, cause, or principle → 1810 sl.
► ROW UP SALT RIVER to lose an election or have a political defeat → 1833 Amer.
► SCALP to destroy the political influence of, or punish for insubordination to party rule → c1891 US political sl.
► SHAKE THE PLUM-TREE to distribute political patronage → 1926
► SHOW SOME ANKLE in politics: to reveal or suggest some information about one’s intentions, plans, etc., usually giving just enough detail to arouse interest or attract support → 1984
► STUFF A BALLOT-BOX to tamper with returns by the surreptitious introduction into the ballot-box of bogus voting papers → 1904 Amer. political usage (Bk.)
► SWING AROUND THE CIRCLE to make a political tour of a constituency or larger area → 1866 US
Lexicophilia 