Politickers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who engage in political maneuvering to gain influence or power
2. People who actively attempt to shape public perception and political alliances
3. People who participate in strategic political activities to obtain advantage or control

Etymology: "Politickers" is the plural of "politicker," which is built from "politic" plus the agent suffix "-er," the same ending found in "banker" or "teacher." The sense has a noticeable shift: "politic" originally meant something like "prudent" or "wise in managing affairs," and a politicker is one who practises politics in a scheming, self-interested way, often by working the back rooms rather than the public stage. The suffix turns a quality or activity into a person who carries it out. The pattern is a little unusual because the plural form is the one most readers meet, while the singular "politicker" is less common. Both forms are used to describe people who busy themselves with the manoeuvring and deal-making of public life.

Synonyms: politicians, lobbyists