Words Seldom Seen: Gerrymander

Gerrymander

Verb: To manipulate the boundaries of an electoral district so as to favor one party or class.

Example: “A Gerrymander that favors my side is to be ignored and a gerrymander that favors the opposition is to be condemned.”

The word is a Portmanteau of Gerry (a politician from Massachusetts in the 19th century) and Salamander the shape of one of the districts he helped create.


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