Definition

The designated talking head for an organization—usually carefully coached to say nothing meaningful while sounding authoritative and concerned.

Example Usage

The company spokesman denied all allegations while technically confirming nothing and promising 'a full investigation.'

Source: Government and corporate terminology

Related Terms

Intermediate

third rail

A political issue so controversial and dangerous that touching it means instant career death, named after the electrified rail that powers subway trains. Social Security reform is the classic example that politicians approach like it's literally radioactive.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Intermediate

plurality

Winning an election by getting more votes than anyone else without actually getting a majority—democracy's participation trophy. It's how you can become president with 40% support when three other candidates split the remaining 60%, proving that sometimes the most popular choice is still unpopular with most people. Politicians love pluralities because they can claim mandates while representing minority opinions.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Beginner

blue state

A state reliably voting Democratic in presidential elections, colored blue on electoral maps because red was already taken and purple seemed too optimistic. It's geographic shorthand for assuming political beliefs based on where people buy overpriced real estate.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Advanced

limited hangout

A strategic information leak where you confess to something juicy but relatively minor to distract people from the full scandal. Think of it as throwing investigators a bone so they stop digging for the entire skeleton. Popularized during Watergate, this tactic is the political equivalent of admitting you ate one cookie when you actually demolished the whole jar.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Intermediate

conference committee

A temporary joint committee formed to reconcile differences when the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, essentially democracy's couples therapy. Members negotiate behind closed doors to create compromise legislation both chambers can accept.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Beginner

glad-handing

The politician's art of enthusiastically shaking hands and making superficial small talk with voters, often at events where everyone knows it's performative but participates anyway. Retail politics with a side of hand sanitizer.

🏛️ Government / Politics

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