Elbridge who? How the name of a forgotten founder lives on in the word 'gerrymander'
The term 'gerrymander' originates from Elbridge Gerry, a Founding Father who served as vice president and was known for his stubborn political nature. The article traces the etymology of the word back to a 1812 redistricting map that resembled a salamander.
Why it matters
Understanding the historical roots of political terminology provides context for modern debates surrounding voting rights and electoral fairness.
You've heard of Samuel Adams and John Hancock, the Massachusetts patriots who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
But spare a thought for another member of the pantheon: Elbridge Gerry . He unwittingly gave us "gerrymander," our Word of the Week — part of NPR's series examining the origin and etymology of common words.
As Founding Fathers go, it's safe to say that Gerry (pronounced "Gary") is not the most prominent, even though he was among the earliest and most vocal supporters of American independence from Great Britain. Later, Gerry was one of only three delegates to the Constitutional Convention who refused to put his name on the document in part because at the time it lacked a Bill of Rights — those first 10 amendments that lay down basic freedoms and protections.
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