Safire's Political DictionaryWhen it comes to the vagaries of language in American politics, its uses and abuses, its absurdities and ever-shifting nuances, its power to confound, obscure, and occasionally to inspire, William Safire is the language maven we most readily turn to for clarity, guidance, and penetrating, sometimes lacerating, wit. Safire's Political Dictionary is a stem-to-stern updating and expansion of the Language of Politics, which was first published in 1968 and last revised in 1993, long before such terms as Hanging Chads, 9/11 and the War on Terror became part of our everyday vocabulary. Nearly every entry in that renowned work has been revised and updated and scores of completely new entries have been added to produce an indispensable guide to the political language being used and abused in America today. Safire's definitions--discursive, historically aware, and often anecdotal--bring a savvy perspective to our colorful political lingo. Indeed, a Safire definition often reads like a mini-essay in political history, and readers will come away not only with a fuller understanding of particular words but also a richer knowledge of how politics works, and fails to work, in America. From Axis of Evil, Blame Game, Bridge to Nowhere, Triangulation, and Compassionate Conservatism to Islamofascism, Netroots, Earmark, Wingnuts and Moonbats, Slam Dunk, Doughnut Hole, and many others, this language maven explains the origin of each term, how and by whom and for what purposes it has been used or twisted, as well as its perceived and real significance. For anyone who wants to cut through the verbal haze that surrounds so much of American political discourse, Safire's Political Dictionary offers a work of scholarship, wit, insiderhood and resolute bipartisanship. |
From inside the book
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Page 6
... referred to “the most powerful woman in America.” This was soon replaced by FLOTUS, “First Lady of the United States”; see the entry on POTUS . The last word on acronyms seemed to belong to a 1977 cartoon in Punch showing two angry ...
... referred to “the most powerful woman in America.” This was soon replaced by FLOTUS, “First Lady of the United States”; see the entry on POTUS . The last word on acronyms seemed to belong to a 1977 cartoon in Punch showing two angry ...
Page 8
... referred to a “Gaullist regime,” as did the French. In U.S. usage, regime is pejorative; Senator George McGovern derogated the Saigon government of South Vietnam in 1972 as “the Thieu regime.” See REGIME CHANGE . of art remains advance ...
... referred to a “Gaullist regime,” as did the French. In U.S. usage, regime is pejorative; Senator George McGovern derogated the Saigon government of South Vietnam in 1972 as “the Thieu regime.” See REGIME CHANGE . of art remains advance ...
Page 37
... to the custody of the wolf, except that one which is called a balance of power.” Before the Civil War, it referred to a balance between the slave-holding and the free states. 38 bald eagle The phrase is also applied to disputes.
... to the custody of the wolf, except that one which is called a balance of power.” Before the Civil War, it referred to a balance between the slave-holding and the free states. 38 bald eagle The phrase is also applied to disputes.
Page 39
... referred to empty or inflated discourse in politics. The Gentleman's Magazine of London commented on such inflated claims in 1784: “All these are political squibs, or balloons, filled with inflamhis military aide, General Harry Vaughan ...
... referred to empty or inflated discourse in politics. The Gentleman's Magazine of London commented on such inflated claims in 1784: “All these are political squibs, or balloons, filled with inflamhis military aide, General Harry Vaughan ...
Page 46
... referred to one numberscruncher as “a smart, tightfisted and austere 'bean-counter' accountant from rural The above quotation in Irish brogue is taken from the preface to Mr. Dooley in Peace and War, published in 1898; it had been used ...
... referred to one numberscruncher as “a smart, tightfisted and austere 'bean-counter' accountant from rural The above quotation in Irish brogue is taken from the preface to Mr. Dooley in Peace and War, published in 1898; it had been used ...
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Common terms and phrases
action Administration aide American appeared applied asked attack became become began bill Bush called campaign candidate century charge City civil columnist Communist Congress conservative convention criticism deal defense Democratic described early economic Eisenhower election expression forces foreign former George give Governor head House idea included interest issue John Johnson Kennedy known later leader liberal major meaning ment metaphor military never Nixon nomination noted original party peace person phrase play political politicians popular position Post President presidential referred reported Republican Robert Roosevelt rule Secretary Senator sense speech talk term thing tion told took turn United usage usually Vice vote voters Washington White House word writer wrote York