“Weasel words” are used to evade a question or an issue. They are a way to avoid direct statements of fact or principle. It’s similar …
Despite a storied career as a lawmaker and diplomat, Henry Clay is probably best-remembered for a speech in which he said, “I’d rather be right …
The “fireside chat” was a series of radio addresses which President Franklin Roosevelt carried out over the course of his presidency.
Roosevelt delivered a total …
NIMBY is an acronym meaning “Not In My Back Yard.”
NIMBY refers to people who resist having potentially dangerous or disruptive projects carried out in …
“Kitchen cabinet” refers to a president’s informal, trusted circle of advisers, distinct from the official, formally appointed members of his actual cabinet.
“Camelot” is a reference to President John F. Kennedy’s administration.
Kennedy’s brief, ill-fated presidency has been highly mythologized; some people point to it …
“Missile gap” is a phrase used during the Cold War, referring to the theory that the US lagged behind the Soviet Union in terms of …
A gag rule restricts members of a legislative body from discussing a specific issue, typically because it is deemed too controversial or divisive to address …
A pecking order is a social hierarchy which spells out the specifics of how the power structure operates.
The term was …
Pinko is a pejorative word for someone with left-wing views.
Over time, the term has evolved and is now often used in a slightly comical …
“Man in the street” is commonly used to evoke the idea of the average voter, characterized by mainstream political opinions and interests, and representing the …
An influence peddler is one who uses their political influence to try and win favors for others.
An influence peddler is a bit of a …
“Mistakes were made” is a phrase used in politics intentionally in the passive voice.
This specific usage, typically adopted by politicians or high-ranking officials, serves …
The “old guard” is the more conservative, often older, branch of any political grouping.
The old guard of a party might not be politically more …
In 2017, President Donald Trump announced plans for an “Infrastructure Week,” a series of high-profile events which were aimed at building support for the president’s …
“The torch has been passed” is one of the most famous lines of John F. Kennedy’s presidency.
In 1961, in his inaugural speech, Kennedy …
“Hizzoner” is a nickname used by journalists to refer to big city mayors, especially in New York City.
Hizzoner is a contraction of “his honor,” …
“Evil empire” was President Ronald Reagan’s name for the Soviet Union.
Reagan often portrayed the struggle between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. as a moral …
“Wilderness years” are a period of time in a politician’s career when he or she is not holding a position of power. This may happen …
The Byrd rule is a parliamentary tripwire that prevents tangential material from being included in a budget reconciliation bill in the Senate.
Reconciliation legislation is …
A quorum call is a procedure used in both houses of Congress to bring to the floor the number of members who must be present …
The “lunatic fringe” is the wing of a political or social group that holds more extreme views than the rest of that group.
The lunatic …
“Salami tactics” refers to a divide and conquer approach, which aims to split up the opposition.
The expression evokes the idea of slicing up one’s …
“Trickle down theory” is a derisive term for the idea that giving benefits to large, powerful people and companies can yield benefits for society as …
A “power broker” is someone who wields indirect political power, either by influencing the outcomes of elections or by exercising influence over key decision …
In June of 1934, Adolph Hitler ordered his troops to carry out a large-scale purge of suspected dissidents within the Nazi party.
It actually took …
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events …
“Nobody drowned at Watergate” was a phrase used, especially by supporters of President Richard Nixon, to minimize the impact of the Watergate scandal and to …
“Little group of willful men” is a reference to President Woodrow Wilson’s dispute with a group of anti-war congressmen in the lead-up to America’s entry …
“Grass will grow in the streets” is a gloom-and-doom phrase sometimes used by politicians to imply that the country will go to economic ruin if …
An “off-year election” is one which takes place in a year when a presidential or midterm election does not also take place.
It’s typically when …
“Little old ladies in tennis shoes” is a derisive reference to members of the John Birch society.
In 1961, the California Attorney General’s offices …
Throwing one’s “hat in the ring” means announcing one’s intention to compete in a contest.
In politics, it means running for political office in an …
“It’s the economy stupid” was a phrase coined by James Carville in 1992, when he was advising Bill Clinton in his successful run …
“Samizdat” was a form of underground press commonly available in eastern European countries with state-owned media sources.
It is a Russian term that translates to …
“Red meat” is a term used in politics to refer to statements or policies that are designed to appeal to a political party’s base or …
In politics, a phrase invoking the average American citizen.
The implication is usually that the forgotten man has suffered some major economic hardship and has …
The Dixiecrats were a group of Southern Democrats who broke away from their party in 1948 because they objected to the Democratic Party’s stance on …
The “madman theory” is a political theory commonly associated with President Richard Nixon’s foreign policy during the Cold War.
Nixon tried to make the leaders …
A beauty contest refers to a unique, non-traditional form of primary where the focus is more on gauging candidate popularity and less on the direct …
The term “magic minute” refers to a procedural rule that allows leaders in the House of Representatives, typically the Speaker, unlimited speaking time, despite the …