A “big lie” is an extreme distortion of the truth, used for the purpose of spreading propaganda. It is often somewhat outrageous.

In theory, people …

A “codel,” or congressional delegation, is a group of members of the United States Congress who travel together on official business.

These trips …

Impeachment is the process by which a public official, such as the President of the United States, can be removed from office for …

In American politics, the term “mugwumps” was first used to describe those who left the Republican party in favor of the Democrats in …

“Pressing the flesh” refers to shaking hands, usually in a warm and effusive manner. It is an integral part of most political campaigns …

A pooh bah is a person with great and often unchecked political power.

A pooh-bah may hold political office but is an ineffective leader who …

In politics, a fishing expedition is a pejorative phrase to describe an investigation that lacks a clear scope and defined purpose.

Fishing expeditions are usually …

A “watershed election” is an election which represents a major shift away from the current political situation and often marked by sweeping changes in party …

“Whistle-stopping” is practice of making political speeches or appearances in many different towns during a short period of time.

The practice has lost some of …

A “red herring” is an argument or piece of information that distracts from a different and more important issue.

In some cases, political operatives may …

“Quiet diplomacy” refers to one state’s efforts to influence the behavior of another state through discreet negotiations or actions.

This means operating behind the scenes …

The phrase “rising tide lifts all boats” expresses the idea that if the economy improves, every participant in the economy will be in an improved …

A “party boss” is a high-ranking individual within a political party, typically at the state or local level, who wields significant influence over …

A yellow dog Democrat was a Southern voter who was unwavering in their loyalty to the Democratic party.

Those faithful Democrats swore that …

A “live pair” refers to a situation where two lawmakers have agreed to not vote on a particular matter.

This is typically done as a …

The Night Mayor is the informal name for a city official charged with taking care of issues that arise in a city after dark.

A …

A “witch hunt” is a politically-motivated, often vindictive investigation that feeds on public fears.

Origin of “Witch Hunt”

The origins of the term “witch hunt” …

A pork chopper is a union official who is in his position because of self-interest, not because he has the best interest of the other …

The “vision thing” is a phrase that is famously associated with President George H.W. Bush from his time as vice president to Ronald Reagan.

Origin

“Happy Days Are Here Again” is the title of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s official campaign song in 1932.

The song remained the unofficial anthem of the …

The New Deal was a series of government programs created during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

It was designed to bring immediate economic …

The person who has his “finger on the button” has the power to launch a nuclear weapon.

The expression is used to evoke the possibility …

“Time in the barrel” refers to a period when a political candidate, party, or policy is subjected to intense scrutiny or attack by the media, …

A power grab is an attempt by an individual or group to acquire or consolidate power in an unlawful or unethical manner.

This can take …

Political patronage is the system of rewarding political allies with government jobs, especially prestigious positions which pay well and demand little in the way of …

An October surprise is a news event which takes place shortly before a closely-watched election and which may influence the election’s outcome.…

A “happy warrior” is a politician or political activist who remains optimistic and cheerful even in the face of adversity or contentious political battles.

They …

A bully pulpit is a public office or position of authority that provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to …

“Rendezvous with destiny” was a phrase used by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1936 when he accepted the Democratic nomination to run again for the presidency.…

“Swiftboating” refers to the use of dishonest or misleading tactics to attack or smear the reputation or character of a political opponent.

The …

A “rubber chicken circuit” is the nickname given to the endless parade of dinners that political candidates must attend during a campaign for office in …

The term “sine die” is a Latin phrase that literally means “without a day” or “without setting a day.”

In politics, it is …

The “veepstakes” is the process and speculation surrounding the selection of a vice presidential candidate during a presidential election cycle.

The veepstakes begins once a …

In politics, a “rainmaker” is an individual who can raise campaign funds for others.

Often, a rainmaker is a retired politician who still has a …

Blue slips are a long-standing Senate tradition that allows a Senator to signal opposition to a federal judicial nominee from their home state.…

The “Phoney War” refers to a period of relative inactivity and low-intensity military operations at the beginning of World War II.

It was a time …

“Peace at any price” is a phrase closely associated with the politics of appeasement, and especially with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and his …

“The desk” is another name for the rostrum where the presiding officer and various clerks of the chamber sit.

According to recent practices, most bills, …

The term “whiz kids” refers to any intellectually gifted, precocious young people who possess exceptional talent and the confidence to effectively utilize it in various …

President Lyndon B. Johnson’s combination of charm, persuasion, and sheer intimidation came to be known as the “Johnson treatment.” 

Johnson was famous for …

“Cloture” is legislative term referring to a motion or process by which debate is brought to a quick end.

Origin of “Cloture”

From the French …

“Ratfucking” is the art of carrying out dirty tricks and crafty maneuvers, usually in the name of winning an election.

Originating from slang used in …

A bill is a proposed law introduced in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate.

A bill originating in the House is …

A floor fight is an argument that threatens to derail either a convention or a congressional proceeding.

Most of the time, floor fights …

To “work the room” is to move through a crowd, greeting people and engaging them in conversation.

Working the room typically involves a lot of …

An “opinion leader” is one whose opinions about something have a significant impact on the opinions of others.

Today, an “influencer” is sometimes used as …

Pax Americana refers to a period of relative peace and stability that extended throughout the area of American influence, beginning with the end of World …

During the Cold War, the division between western Europe and the Soviet bloc countries was called the “iron curtain.”

The iron curtain was never a …

“Forty acres and a mule” is a popular name for an order which promised freed slave that every family would be given a plot of …

A wedge issue is a highly divisive political or social issue.

It can create divisions between a candidate’s supporters or between members of the same …

The “art of the possible” is idea that politics is a matter of pragmatism, instead of idealism.

According to this worldview, politics is a matter …

The “military industrial complex” is a term referring to all the components of a nation’s military establishment, including the private businesses involved in producing …

A political animal is one who is fascinated by politics and who thrives on being closely involved in politics.

They are also sometimes called political …

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

Typically, a park bench orator speaks out about their views in public.…

An imperial presidency is characterized by having greater powers than those clearly provided for in the U.S. Constitution, as it pertains to the executive branch.…

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

The term is most commonly used in the …

The “loneliest job in the world” is a reference to the presidency of the United States, supposedly a supremely lonely and isolating job because of …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

The Bailey memorandum was circulated among members of the Democratic party in 1956, arguing that Catholic voters were a key demographic that could be harnessed …

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

The expression can also …

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

Political machines are characterized …

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

Origin of “Kitchen

“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 …

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

A lot of ink has been spilled about whether the incumbent has a better …

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

This process is conducted by party whips or other designated individuals …

“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 …

In politics, a handler manages a candidate during an election. 

A handler can fill a variety of roles. At the lowest end of the spectrum, …

“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 …

In politics, a “clean sweep” occurs in an election when a candidate or party achieves an overwhelming or complete victory, winning in all or almost …

“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 …

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 …

“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 …

“Fugazi” is military slang that has seeped into some political conversations, particularly in informal settings.

It’s used to describe something that is fake, fraudulent, or …

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

Origin of “Pecking Order”

The term was …

“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,” …

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

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

The term is often used in …

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 …

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 “old guard” is the more conservative, often older, branch of any political grouping.

The old guard of a party might not be politically more …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events …

“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 …

“It’s the economy stupid” was a phrase coined by James Carville in 1992, when he was advising Bill Clinton in his successful run …

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 …

“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 …

“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 …

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 …