Daily Almanac for
Nov 29, 2009
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Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—G

Gerrymander

(g hard). So to divide a county or nation into representative districts as to give one special political party undue advantage over others. The word is derived from Elbridge Gerry, who adopted the scheme in Massachusetts when he was governor. Gilbert Stuart, the artist, looking at the map of the new distribution, with a little invention converted it into a salamander. “No, no!” said Russell, when shown it, “not a Sala-mander, Stuart; call it a Gerry-mander.”

To gerrymander
is so to hocuspocus figures, etc., as to affect the balance.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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