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“Greenwashing” is an attempt by a company to create the impression that a consumer product has benefits to the environment, even when it does not or may even be harmful…

Hustings are the speeches and campaign events associated with an election cycle.

“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 to generate a strong emotional…

“The cover-up is worse than the crime” refers to the idea that attempts to conceal or obscure wrongdoing can lead to more severe consequences than the original misdeed.

To “electioneer” is to actively take part in an election by working for the election of a candidate or a party.

In 1948, when President Truman was running for re-election, he frequently attacked the Republican-controlled Congress as the “do-nothing Congress.”

A “thousand points of light” was a slogan used frequently by former president George H.W. Bush to praise volunteerism and individualism.

The Great Society was a sweeping set of proposals for social reform, put forward by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and aimed at improving access to education, good jobs, and…

A “gutter flyer” is a political attack ad, traditionally distributed in paper form. It is also typically anonymous, so that nobody can be held accountable for it or asked to…

A “trial balloon” describes a test of public opinion or reaction to a particular idea, proposal or policy.

“Go fight City Hall” is a phrase expressing the futility of trying to battle government bureaucracy.

The “eunuch rule” is a reference to the provisions in many state constitutions which prevented state governors from running for a second consecutive term in office.

A “honeymoon period” is a period of popularity enjoyed by a new leader.

“Don’t change horses” is a phrase used to urge voters to stick with the incumbent president during times of turmoil and conflict.

A Bircher is an adherent to the teachings and philosophies of the John Birch Society, an anti-communist organization founded in 1958.

“Loose lips sink ships” is a phrase that originated from a wartime propaganda poster during World War II, and it was used to caution individuals against careless talk that could…

“Little Tin Box” is the title of a song in the 1959 musical, “Fiorello,” which told the story of one of New York City’s most famous mayors.

The acronym CREEP is short for The Committee for the Re-election of the President, which in 1972 was the fundraising organization of then-president Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign.

“Guns before butter” refers to the debate over how governments should use their revenue: should resources be used to build up the military, or should they be spent on domestic…

The practice of backing up diplomatic efforts with a visible show of military might.

A “fifth column” is a group which operates in secret, usually within enemy lines, in order to help further a cause which they secretly support.

“Bird-dogging” is a term that originates from hunting, where a bird dog is trained to sniff out and point towards game birds, but in politics it takes on a unique…

“Third-rate burglary” is a phrase which President Richard Nixon’s press secretary used to describe the Watergate break-in.

A “grand design” refers to any kind of deliberate plan of action. In politics, the term is usually used to mean an overarching strategy or a long-term plan.

“I am the law” is a phrase attributed to Frank Hague, the mayor of Jersey City from 1917 until he retired in 1947.

A “hatchet man” is an operative in charge of doing political dirty work — or dirty tricks — both during a campaign and sometimes as part of normal government functions.

To be “on the fence” is to be hesitant about taking a political stance.

The phrase “fuck around and find out” conveys a challenge or warning.

The phrase “heartbeat away from the presidency” refers to the fact that the vice president will automatically succeed the presidency in the case of the president’s death, disability, or resignation.

“Dyed in the wool” is a phrase referring to people who hold very strong opinions and are unwilling to change them.