Carpetbagger: meaning, definitions and examples

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carpetbagger

 

[ หˆkษ‘หrpษชtหŒbรฆษกษ™r ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

historical context

A carpetbagger refers to a person from the northern United States who went to the South after the Civil War to profit from the Reconstruction. The term has a negative connotation and implies exploitation or opportunism. Originally, it denoted someone who carried their belongings in a suitcase made of carpet material, symbolizing their transient nature.

Synonyms

exploitative politician, opportunist, outsider.

Examples of usage

  • Many carpetbaggers moved to the South seeking political power.
  • He was labeled a carpetbagger by the local residents.
  • Carpetbaggers often influenced local politics during Reconstruction.
  • The arrival of carpetbaggers led to tension in Southern communities.

Translations

Translations of the word "carpetbagger" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคพเคฐเฅเคชเฅ‡เคŸเคฌเฅˆเค—เคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะฐั€ะฟะตั‚ะฑะตะณะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ซใƒผใƒšใƒƒใƒˆใƒใƒƒใ‚ฌใƒผ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์นดํŽซ๋ฐฑ๊ฑฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅœฐๆฏฏๅŒ…ๅฎข

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ carpetbagger

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ carpetbagger

Etymology

The term 'carpetbagger' originated in the U.S. during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War (1865โ€“1877). It comes from the literal carpet bag, a type of suitcase made from carpeting, which many Northern transplants carried as they relocated to the South seeking economic opportunities. These individuals were often viewed with suspicion and disdain by the local populations, as they were perceived to be taking advantage of the South's devastation and political chaos following its defeat in the Civil War. The term became emblematic of Northern politicians who were seen as opportunistic, seeking to wield power in a region that had just endured significant hardship. Over time, 'carpetbagger' took on a broader meaning, extending to describe any outsider perceived as exploiting a situation for personal gain.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,123, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.