List of political epithets

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Carpetbagger

Post-American Civil War U.S.: Original usage by white Southerners for the Northerners that came south after the Civil War, viewed as "carpetbaggers" - opportunists and exploiters bent on grabbing economic and political benefits. Term originated from a popular form of baggage carried by these individuals, a type of large bag made from cheap carpet fabric.

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http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reconstruction/carpetbagger/#

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Contemporary Usage in U.S.: Politicians who move to a new jurisdiction in order to meet a residency requirement for holding public office. Senator Hillary Clinton is frequently decried as an Arkansas carpetbagger in New York state.

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U.K.: Supporters of the conversion of mutual building societies into banks purely for reasons of personal financial gain.

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