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April 14, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

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…

July 30, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

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…

July 27, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

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…

July 30, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

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…

November 25, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

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,…

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

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…

June 30, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

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…

September 10, 2011
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

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…

July 23, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

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…

September 27, 2011
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

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…

November 17, 2011
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Stump Speech

A "stump speech" originally was a speech (often given by a political candidate) where the speaker stands on a tree stump. The term "stump speech" has been cited in print since…

April 13, 2011
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Stupid Party (Republicans) & Evil Party (Democrats)

An old Washington joke is that the Republicans are called "the stupid party" and the Democrats are called "the evil party." When the Republicans and Democrats get together on…

December 12, 2018
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Subpoena Cannon

The Democrats won control of the House of Representatives after the November 2018 election. Axios reported "Democrats load "subpoena cannon" with 85+ Trump target" by Mike Allen…

April 30, 2014
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Suckretary (suck + secretary)

"Suckretary" (suck + secretary) is a derogatory term that originally described a female secretary working under a male boss. However, "suckretary" has also been used to deride…

June 5, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS)

"Sudden Adult Death Syndrome” (SAD or SADS, similar to SIDS for infants) is when an adult dies suddenly and unexpectedly. The term is usually used to hint at the probable cause of…

June 6, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Sudden Athlete Death Syndrome (SADS)

"Sudden Athlete Death Syndrome” (SAD or SADS, similar to SIDS for infants) is when an athlete (active or recently retired) dies suddenly and unexpectedly. Athletes are thought to be young…

August 14, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Sudden Invented Death Syndrome (SIDS)

"Sudden Invented Death Syndrome” (SIDS, the same acronym as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is when an adult dies suddenly and unexpectedly. This term is usually used to hint at the probable…

August 15, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Sudden Invented Syndrome Syndrome (SISS)

"Sudden Invented Death Syndrome” (SIDS, the same acronym as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is when an adult dies suddenly and unexpectedly. This term is usually used to hint at the probable…

June 1, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Suddenlyitis

"Suddenlyitis" is when someone dies suddenly and unexpectedly, such as a young person thought to be in good health. The term is usually used to hint at the probable cause of death -- the…

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

Super Congress

The term "Super Congress" was introduced on July 24, 2011, and became part of the deal to increase the debt ceiling. A special committee or "Super Congress" of 13 persons…

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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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