Jingoism

Jingoism is a term describing chauvinistic patriotism, usually with a hawkish political stance. In plain language it means bullying other countries.

Related Topics:
Chauvinistic - Patriotism - Hawkish - Bully

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term originated in Britain, introduced by Irish music-hall singer G. H. MacDermott at the London Pavilion during the diplomatic crisis of 1878, when Britain's Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli convinced the Tsar to retreat from Bulgaria, restoring it and Macedonia to Ottoman rule. The chorus of a song by MacDermott and G. W. Hunt commonly sung in pubs at the time gave birth to the term. The lyrics had the chorus:

Related Topics:
Britain - G. H. MacDermott - Diplomatic crisis of 1878 - Prime Minister - Benjamin Disraeli - Tsar - Bulgaria - Macedonia - Ottoman - G. W. Hunt

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:We don't want to fight

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:But, by Jingo, if we do,

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:We've got the ships,

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:We've got the men,

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:We've got the money, too.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The expression "by Jingo" is apparently a minced oath that appeared rarely in print, as far back as the 17th century, a transparent euphemism for "by Jesus", but it has also been given origins in languages which would not have been very familiar in the British pub: a corrupted borrowed word from the Basque "Jainko", meaning "God". A claim that the term referred to Jingu of Japan has been entirely dismissed.

Related Topics:
Minced oath - 17th century - Euphemism - Jesus - Borrowed word - Basque - Jainko - God - Jingu of Japan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the 19th century in the United States, journalists called this attitude "spread-eagleism". This patriotic belligerence was intensified by the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana harbor that led to the Spanish-American War. "Jingoism" did not enter the U.S. vernacular until near the turn of the 20th century.

Related Topics:
19th century - United States - ''USS Maine'' - Havana - Spanish-American War - 20th century

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One of those frequently accused of Jingoism was Theodore Roosevelt, who answered in a October 8, 1895 interview in the New York Times, "There is much talk about 'jingoism'. If by 'jingoism' they mean a policy in pursuance of which Americans will with resolution and common sense insist upon our rights being respected by foreign powers, then we are 'jingoes'."

Related Topics:
Theodore Roosevelt - October 8 - 1895 - New York Times

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~