gerrymandering
/ˈdʒɛriˌmændərɪŋ/
noun
Origin
English
Gerry + salamander — Named after Governor Elbridge Gerry and the mythical creature
Overview
Meaning Now
- The practice of manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency so as to favour one party or class.
Literal older meaning
The act of creating a district shaped like a salamander, inspired by Elbridge Gerry.
Language path
English
Earliest form
Gerry-mander
Earliest period
1812
Journey
The term originated in 1812 when Elbridge Gerry, the Governor of Massachusetts, signed a bill into law that created a partisan district in the Boston area. A local newspaper editor, noting the resemblance of the district to a salamander, printed a political cartoon that gave birth to the term.
Evolution
- 1812
Gerry-mander
“An electoral district shaped to benefit a party”
Coined after a distorted district map in Massachusetts.
- 19th century
gerrymandering
“The act of manipulating district boundaries”
Conversion from a specific noun to a general political process.
Connections
Word parts
Gerry
root
Elbridge Gerry
mander
root
from salamander
Explore next
Related to gerrymandering
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.