lobbygow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely Rare / ObsoleteHistorical / Informal / Derogatory
Quick answer
What does “lobbygow” mean?
A person, often of low status, who assists a lobbyist.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, often of low status, who assists a lobbyist; a minor political hanger-on or errand-runner in legislative or political circles.
An assistant, follower, or camp follower in political or lobbying contexts, often implying a lack of significant influence or a menial role; sometimes used more broadly for any sycophantic attendant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in and was almost exclusively used in American English, particularly in early 20th-century Washington D.C. political contexts. It is virtually unattested in British English.
Connotations
In American usage, it implies a specific role within the corrupt patronage systems of the past.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern usage; considered an archaic Americanism.
Grammar
How to Use “lobbygow” in a Sentence
act as a lobbygow for [POLITICIAN/ORGANISATION]be dismissed as a mere lobbygowVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lobbygow” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not used as a verb in British English]
American English
- He spent his years lobbygowing for the old senator, fetching cigars and whispering gossip.
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not used as an adjective in British English]
American English
- He had a lobbygow mentality, always ready to do any petty favour for a scrap of influence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in standard business contexts.
Academic
Rarely used, except in historical or political science texts discussing early 20th-century US politics.
Everyday
Virtually never used in contemporary everyday speech.
Technical
Not a technical term in any standard field.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lobbygow”
- Misspelling as 'lobbygo' or 'lobby gow'.
- Using it in contemporary contexts where 'lobbyist's assistant' would be clearer.
- Confusing it with the main 'lobbyist', who holds more power.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and largely obsolete term from early 20th-century American political slang.
Extremely rarely. Its primary and almost exclusive use is as a noun. Any verbal use is non-standard and based on historical slang.
A lobbyist is a professional advocate who tries to influence legislation. A lobbygow is a derogatory term for a low-level assistant or hanger-on who works for or around lobbyists, performing menial tasks.
It is believed to be an American English formation from 'lobby' (as in political lobby) + an arbitrary or slang suffix '-gow', possibly influenced by words like 'pollywog' or simply for rhythmic effect. It first appeared in print in the early 1900s.
A person, often of low status, who assists a lobbyist.
Lobbygow is usually historical / informal / derogatory in register.
Lobbygow: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒbiɡaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɑːbiɡaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this rare term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a lobbyist who can only say 'go' and fetch things—a LOBBYist who GOes—hence, a lobbygow.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICS IS A THEATRE OF SERVITUDE (where the lobbygow plays a minor, servile role).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of the word 'lobbygow'?