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

junket

A taxpayer-funded trip disguised as fact-finding where legislators research important issues like French wine policy from a château in Bordeaux. It's business class travel justified by a perfunctory meeting and expense reports that would make fiction writers jealous.

🏛️ Government / Politics
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
Beginner

Transparency

The concept that government should be open and visible to its citizens, which politicians support enthusiastically right up until it applies to them personally. It's the political equivalent of wanting glass walls in everyone else's office.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Beginner

blue-ribbon commission

A panel of distinguished experts assembled to study a problem everyone already understands, providing political cover for inaction. The commission's report will be thorough, thoughtful, and completely ignored once the news cycle moves on.

🏛️ 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

pork barrel politics

The practice of government spending for localized projects primarily to bring money to a representative's district and secure votes, named after the literal distribution of salt pork to slaves. Modern democracy's 'you scratch my back, I'll appropriate funds for your district's convention center' system.

🏛️ Government / Politics

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See “spokesman” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

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Beginner

cwot

complete waste of time...