A Wordy Political Machine
US and UK politics have their own words and phrases that convey the rough and tumble of elective office. The jargon, much of which stems from the 19th and 20th Centuries, demonstrates the often gritty nature of the beast - Gerrymander, air war, Blue Dog Democrat, First Past the Post, purdah, marginal constituencies, swing states, the Tories, Hung Parliament, the Loyal Opposition and so on. Here are some expressions you hear during the campaign season and how they got that way. These will help you communicate effectively when a candidate rings your bell.