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August 11, 2011
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Repulsican (repulsive + Republican)

"Repulsican" (repulsive + Republican) is a nickname used by someone who finds Republicans to be repulsive. The term "Repulsican" has been cited in print since at least May 1992.…

July 26, 2011
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Resluglican or Reslug (Republican + slug)

"Resluglican" or "Reslug" (Republican + slug) is an unflattering nickname for Republicans, comparing them to slugs (lazy "sluggards" or the gastropods). The nickname…

May 31, 2019
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthWorkers/People

Rest In Power (RIP)

"Rest in power" is sometimes used instead of "rest in peace" (from Latin Requiescat in pace) to respect someone who has died. "Rest in power" has been used by the…

December 2, 2011
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Retail Politics

"Retail politics" means when a politician meets the people directly and appeals for their votes, as opposed to a "wholesale politics" campaign using paid media and meeting…

February 7, 2011
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Retardican (retard + Republican)

"Retardican" (retard + Republican) is a political epithet that has been cited in print since at least January 1996. The term has been capitalized as "Retardican" (after…

November 24, 2009
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Rethuglican or Rethug (Republican + thug)

"Rethuglican" (or "Rethug" for short) is a slang name for the Republican party, used by speakers who believe that the Republicans act like "thugs." The terms…

October 20, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Revenue Enhancement (“tax increase” euphemism)

Entry in progress -- B.P. ,a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1983/07/01/us/lexicon.html">New York (NY) TimesLexiconBy Marjorie HunterPublished: July 1, 1983The ways of Washington, says…

June 24, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Reverse Escorting

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with the responsibility to enforce immigration and…

December 23, 2009
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Reverse Town Hall Meeting

A "town hall meeting" (often shortened to "town hall") is when a public official answers questions directly from the public. A "reverse town hall meeting" (or…

September 4, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Revocouption (revolution + coup)

On July 3, 2013, the Egypitan military removed the country's elected president and suspended the Egyptian constitution. An article in the Washington (DC) Post was titled "Is what happened…

February 24, 2011
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Revolving Door

Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Revolving door (politics)The revolving door is the movement of personnel between roles as legislators and regulators and the industries affected by the…

December 3, 2009
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Rightard (right + retard)

"Rightard" (right + retard) is an epithet used by some on the political left against the political right. "Rightard" has been cited in print since January 2003.…

June 30, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Rightosphere (right blogosphere)

The "rightosphere" is the "right blogosphere," containing blogs of the political right. The term "rightosphere" has been in print since at least May 2005. A similar…

December 21, 2009
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Rightroots

"Rightroots" (right + grassroots) is a word that was coined in August 2006 by the ABC PAC. "Rightroots" began as an effort by the political right to respond to the political…

October 24, 2009
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

RINO (Republican In Name Only)

A "RINO" is a "Republican In Name Only." The Republican party is symbolized by the elephant; RINO is symbolized by the rhino. A RINO is someone who is a registered Republican…

March 2, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthWorkers/People

Rise In Power (RIP)

“Rise in power” is sometimes used instead of “rest in peace” (from Latin Requiescat in pace) to respect someone who has died. “Rest in power” has been used by the African American…

November 28, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Ritualistic Shame Muzzle (face mask)

The 2020 COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic resulted in face mask requirements. Some people who objected to the face masks called them "shame muzzles" and "ritualistic shame…

November 22, 2014
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Road Pirates (police nickname)

"Road Pirates -- Paid by/with your money to steal your money" is a popular poster. The saying refers to "theft by cop" (civil asset forfeiture), where police stop cars and take…

May 23, 2014
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Roads, Rates and Rubbish (local government concerns)

"Roads, rates and rubbish" (also "rates, roads and rubbish") are commonly said to be the three top concerns of local government. The saying is mostly restricted to Australia and…

December 9, 2015
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Robe-itis

"Robe-itis" (or "black robe-itis") is an affliction suffered by some robed judges. A person can put on a robe and assume a god-like attitude and power, forgetting that he or she…

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BARRY POPIK is a contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary, Dictionary of American Regional English, Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Yale Book of Quotations and Dictionary of Modern Proverbs. Since 1990 he has also been a regular contributor to Gerald Cohen's Comments on Etymology.

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