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“That dog won’t hunt” is a dismissive phrase, used to mean that a particular idea or approach is going to fail.

“Not for attribution” refers to a specific, discreet kind of arrangement where a journalist and a politician, or any other individual providing information to that journalist, agree to keep the…

An incumbent is an official who already holds a political office.

A “nose count” is a tally of people to see how many are present.

“Effete snobs” was a phrase used by Vice President Spiro Agnew to denounce anti-war protesters, and young intellectuals in general, during the Vietnam era.

“Muckraker” is a name given to progressive journalists and writers in the early 20th century. The term is still sometimes used today to refer to investigative journalists.

“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 whole.

An individual with strong political opinions who does not hesitate to express them.

A “mossback” is an extreme conservative, one so bound up in the past and resistant to forward motion that it (figuratively speaking) is covered in moss, like a stone.

An armchair strategist is a person who creates plans and military strategy without being directly involved in the area.

The “fireside chat” was a series of radio addresses which President Franklin Roosevelt carried out over the course of his presidency.

“Camelot” is a reference to President John F. Kennedy’s administration.

“Weasel words” are used to evade a question or an issue.

“Twenty years of treason” was a prominent catchphrase employed by Sen. Joseph McCarthy to vehemently denounce and criticize alleged communist sympathizers actively serving in various roles within the U.S. government.

A “maiden speech” is the first speech that an elected official makes in front of a legislature.

“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 its ballistic missile defenses.

“Machine politics” is a phenomenon sometimes seen in an urban political context, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries.

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 than be president.”

“Mistakes were made” is a phrase used in politics intentionally in the passive voice.

“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 because the politician has left…

A pecking order is a social hierarchy which spells out the specifics of how the power structure operates.

Pinko is a pejorative word for someone with left-wing views.

“Kitchen cabinet” refers to a president’s informal, trusted circle of advisers, distinct from the official, formally appointed members of his actual cabinet.

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 trillion-dollar plan to rebuild the…

“The torch has been passed” is one of the most famous lines of John F. Kennedy’s presidency.

“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 general public’s perspective.

“Evil empire” was President Ronald Reagan’s name for the Soviet Union.

A “power broker” is someone who wields indirect political power, either by influencing the outcomes of elections or by exercising influence over key decision makers.

An influence peddler is one who uses their political influence to try and win favors for others.

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 openly.