different between politician vs snollygoster

English

Alternative forms

• polititian (obsolete)

Etymology

politic +? -ian

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?p?l.?.t??.?n/
• (US) IPA^(key): /p?l.??t??.?n/

Noun

politician (plural politicians)

1. One engaged in politics, especially an elected or appointed government official.
2. Specifically, one who regards elected political office as a career.
3. A politically active or interested person.
4. A sly or ingratiating person.

Synonyms

• politicker (dated, colloquial or dialect)

Hyponyms

• politard

Translations

Romanian

Etymology

From French politicien

Noun

politician m (plural politicieni)

1. politician

Declension

English

Etymology

19th-century American English. Possibly from snallygaster, a mythical beast that preys on poultry and children; possibly from Pennsylvania German schnelle geeschter, from German schnell (“quick”) + Geist (“spirit”).

Largely obsolete, it briefly resurfaced in 2009 in Britain as part of a debate over MPs' expenses.

Noun

snollygoster (plural snollygosters)

1. (slang, obsolete) A shrewd person not guided by principles, especially a politician.

Translations

References