SoCon (Social Conservative)
"SoCon" (or "socon") is a "social conservative." "SoCon" has been cited in print since at least 1999 and has been a popular term in Canada. The United States…
Soft Despotism
"Despotism (or "hard despotism") is life under a rule of a single entity with absolute power. In a democracy, the majority can install "big government" and create a…
Soft Tyranny
The term "soft tyranny" was popularized by conservative radio talk show host Mark Levin, author of the best-selling book Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (2009). A "hard…
Softball Question
A "softball question" is a question that is easy to answer. Political candidates usually like softball questions because answering them makes the candidates appear strong and in control.…
Sons of the Wild Jackass
George Higgins Moses (1869-1944), a senator from New Hampshire, spoke at a Washington dinner of New England manufacturers in November 1929 and described some insurgent Republican senators as…
Soviet Poverty Law Center (Southern Poverty Law Center or SPLC nickname)
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is a civil rights organization that some conservatives and libertarians have called a far-left extremist group. The SPLC nickname "Soviet Poverty Law…
Soviet Poverty Lie Center (Southern Poverty Law Center or SPLC nickname)
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is a civil rights organization that some conservatives and libertarians have called a far-left extremist group. The SPLC nickname "Soviet Poverty Lie…
Spandering (Spanish-speaker pandering)
"Spandering" (Spanish + pandering) occurs when a someone (such as a politician) panders to a Spanish-speaking constituency. The politician might produce election literature half in…
Speakstakes (Speaker + sweepstakes)
A "Veepstakes" (Veep + sweepstakes) is a race for vice president. A "Speakstakes" (Speaker + sweepstakes) is a race for a Speaker position, such as the Speaker of the House of…
Spokes-hack (spokesman/spokesperson + hack)
"Spokes-hack" or "spokeshack" (spokesman/spokesperson + hack) is a term used by those who believe that a spokesperson is making nonsensical, overly subservient points. The…
Spokes-idiot (spokesman/spokesperson + idiot)
"Spokes-idiot" or "spokesidiot" (spokesman/spokesperson + idiot) is a term used by those who believe that a spokesperson is making nonsensical points. The…
Spokes-liar (spokesman/spokesperson + liar)
"Spokes-liar" or "spokesliar" (spokesman/spokesperson + liar) is a term used by those who believe that a spokesperson is making nonsensical, overly subservient points. The…
Spokes-tool (spokesman/spokesperson + tool)
"Spokes-tool" or "spokestool" (spokesman/spokesperson + tool) is a term used by those who believe that a spokesperson is making nonsensical, overly subservient points. The…
Spokeshole (spokesman/spokesperson + asshole)
"Spokeshole" or "spokes-hole" (spokesman/spokesperson + asshole) is a term used by those who believe that a spokesperson is making nonsensical, overly subservient points. The…
St. Wapniacl (Cabinet mnemonic)
"St. Wapniacl" was the old mnemonic to remember the offices of the President of the United States' Cabinet. It was arranged in order of creation and importance: State, Treasury, War,…
Star-Spangled Banner (Star-Spangled Flag)
The term "star spangled flag" dates to 1805. Francis Scott Key (1779-1843) wrote a poem to the then-popular London tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven" that included the lyric: By…
Stato Institute (Cato Institute nickname)
The Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank founded in 1976 and located in Washington, DC. Some critics believe that Cato isn't truly libertarian enough and is too statist, supporting a…
Stemwinder
A "stemwinder" is a rousing speech. "Stemwinder" has also meant a keyless watch and geared logging locomotive. The "stemwinder" speech has been cited in print since at…
Stink Progress or StinkProgress (Think Progress nickname)
Think Progress is a blog from the progressive think tank, Center for American Progress. Critics of Think Progress have dubbed it "Stink Progress" (or "StinkProgress") since at…
Straw Poll (Straw Vote)
A "straw poll" (or "straw vote") is a vote on a candidate or issue; straws are not used tally the votes, but straws might originally have been used. The early straw votes were…