Throw Red Meat at the Political Base (reward hard-core supporters)
A zoo or a circus often feeds red meat to its large animals, such as lions and tigers. In politics, a "red meat" issue is one that a particular constituency strongly supports. A…
Thucydides Trap
The "Thucydides Trap" refers to the Athenian historian Thucydides (460-400 B.C.), who wrote, “It was the rise of Athens and the fear that this inspired in Sparta that made war…
Thugocracy
Entry in progress -- B.P. Word Spythugocracy(thug.AWK.ruh.see; th as in thin) n. Rule of a country or state by a group of thugs.(...)Earliest Citation:The cruise ship is another Pequod, or ship of…
Thugs and Sexual Assailants (Transportation Security Administration or TSA nickname)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began in 2001 under the U.S. Department of Transportation; in 2003, TSA was moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. New airport scanners…
Thunder on the Left (Thunder on the Right)
Christopher Morley published the novel Thunder on the Left in 1925. The term "thunder on the left" has referred to Democrats since at least 1932. The term "thunder on the right"…
Thurmond Rule or Biden Rule (no judicial appointments in election year)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Thurmond RUleThe Thurmond Rule is a rule of thumb in the United States Senate that judicial nominees should not be confirmed in the months leading up to…
Timber (Political Timber; Gubernatorial Timber; Presidential Timber)
The word "timber" has meant "a personal quality or character" since at least 1612. Political "timber" has long been spoken of in American politics. The term…
Tin-pot Dictator (Tin-pot Dictatorship)
A "tin-pot dictator" is someone who is cheap or commonplace, with little political credibility. Tin pots came to symbolize in the 19th century something that is cheap and without much…
Tinfoil Hat or Tin Foil Hat (Tinfoil Hat Brigade or Tin Foil Hat Brigade)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Tin foilTinfoil or tin foil is a thin leaf made of tin. Actual tin foil was superseded by cheaper and more durable aluminium foil after World War II, and…
TINVOWOOT (There Is No Voting Our Way Out Of This)
TINVOWOOT (There Is No Voting Our Way Out Of This) is an acronym used by those who believe that voting (either for Democrats or Republicans) won't solve problems. Government spending, for…
TLA (three letter agency)
"TLA" is Washington, DC, federal government lingo for a "three letter agency," such as ATF, CIA, DHS, FBI, NSA, and so on. "TLA (Three Letter Agency)" has been cited…
Tombstone Agency
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was created in 1958 and is the national aviation authority in the United States. Mary Schiavo, an inspector general at that U.S. Department of…
Too Stupid for Arby’s (Transportation Security Administration or TSA nickname)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began in 2001 under the U.S. Department of Transportation; in 2003, TSA was moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "Too Stupid for…
Total Sexual Assault (Transportation Security Administration or TSA nickname)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began in 2001 under the U.S. Department of Transportation; in 2003, TSA was moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. New airport scanners…
Totalitolerance (totalitarian + tolerance)
"Totalitolerance" (totalitarian + tolerance) was cited in print in 2003 and 2004 and appears to have been first used in the United Kingdom. "Heard a great new word this morning:…
Totally Stupid Assholes (Tranportation Security Administration or TSA nickname)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began in 2001 under the U.S. Department of Transportation; in 2003, TSA was moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The TSA has been…
TOTUS (Teleprompter Of The United States)
U.S. President Barack Obama was inaugurated on January 20, 2009 and became known for reading his speeches off of a teleprompter. The nickname "TOTUS" (Teleprompter Of The United States)…
Tough Shit, America (Transportation Security Administration or TSA nickname)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began in 2001 under the U.S. Department of Transportation; in 2003, TSA was moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. New airport scanners…
TPTB or PTB (The Powers That Be)
"The powers that be, are ordeined of God" is from Romans XIII.1 of the King James Bible (1611). The term "the powers that be" has been used to describe other higher powers, such…
TPTSB or PTSB (The Powers That Shouldn’t Be)
"The powers that be, are ordeined of God” is from Romans XIII.1 of the King James Bible (1611). The term “the powers that be” has been used to describe other higher powers, such as those…