[Chris O'Carroll]

No 4255
Set by Brendan O’Byrne
The 2012 US presidential election threw up many words that might still be unfamiliar to voters in the UK, such as “boondoggling” (although this was first used over there in 1935). Others appeared for the first time: for example, “Mittology”, “Romnesia” and “Obamacare”. We want new entries in the political lexicon (and definitions) for use in the next UK general election.
Max 20 words by 6 December comp@newstatesman.co.uk

[basil ransome-davies]

Not for the first time I'm slightly banjaxed by the bloody rubric. Perhaps other Eratonauts are clearer. 'Maximum 20 words' is unusual. Does it mean 20 words in all, or 20 words (compers' neologisms) each of which is to be accompanied by a definition, up to some indeterminate number?

[John Whitworth]

The second, Bazza. I think.

[Brian Allgar]

Basil, your guess is as good as mine, or possibly better. I too was thrown by the '20 words' bit. Do you think we should club together to buy a carrier pigeon in order to send our question to them?

[Brian Allgar]

Whatever the number may be, here are a few for starters:

“Savilating” - a term used to describe a politician drooling with fear of being prosecuted for paedophilia.

“Cleggacy” - what the unfortunate Liberal Democrats will inherit.

“Milibandaging” - engaging in countless attempts to patch up the Labour Party.

“Camoronic” - used of someone fit only to lead the Conservative Party.

“Blackbuster” - 1. An embarrassing gaffe (originally applied to Ed Miliband, now used of most politicians). 2. Someone who supports the aims of the BNP.

[John Whitworth]

Nice, Brian. I calculate one is allowed 7 tries. Or maybe 8. Oh hell, as many as you like.

Cleggless The state of the Liberal Democrats without a credible leader.

Ballsup The Labour Party led by Ed Balls

Boris-dancing The Conservative party with a new leader.

Govepuppet Supporter of an alternative new leader of the Conservative party

Pisstoff Rebellious Tory MP

Sauerkraut Supporter of the EU

Plebutante New MP who was comprehensively educated

Ukippered MP unseated by UKIP intervention

Boris Minor. Jo Johnson MP

[Chris O'Carroll]

I doubt I can come up with 20 coinages. But I'm pretty sure I can do half a dozen or so, as long as I don't have to keep the total word count under twenty. So I may not be certain what the rubric means, but I know what I hope it means.