Carpetbagger: meaning, definitions and examples
๐งณ
carpetbagger
[ หkษหrpษชtหbรฆษกษr ]
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:
๐ต๐น carpetbagger
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคพเคฐเฅเคชเฅเคเคฌเฅเคเคฐ
๐ฉ๐ช Carpetbagger
๐ฎ๐ฉ carpetbagger
๐บ๐ฆ ะบะฐัะฟะตัะฑะตะณะตั
๐ต๐ฑ carpetbagger
๐ฏ๐ต ใซใผใใใใใใฌใผ
๐ซ๐ท carpetbagger
๐ช๐ธ carpetbagger
๐น๐ท carpetbagger
๐ฐ๐ท ์นดํซ๋ฐฑ๊ฑฐ
๐ธ๐ฆ carpetbagger
๐จ๐ฟ carpetbagger
๐ธ๐ฐ carpetbagger
๐จ๐ณ ๅฐๆฏฏๅ ๅฎข
๐ธ๐ฎ carpetbagger
๐ฎ๐ธ carpetbagger
๐ฐ๐ฟ carpetbagger
๐ฌ๐ช carpetbagger
๐ฆ๐ฟ carpetbagger
๐ฒ๐ฝ carpetbagger
Etymology
The term 'carpetbagger' originated in the U.S. during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War (1865โ1877). 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.