muckraker

muckraker
muckraker (n.) c.1600, "one who rakes muck," from MUCK (Cf. muck) (n.) + agent noun from RAKE (Cf. rake) (v.). Meaning "one who inquires into and publishes scandal and allegations of corruption among political and business leaders," popularized 1906 in speech by President Theodore Roosevelt, in reference to "man ... with a Muckrake in his hand" in Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" (1684) who seeks worldly gain by raking filth.
The men with the muck-rakes are often indispensable to the well-being of society, but only if they know when to stop raking the muck. [T. Roosevelt, quoted in "Cincinnati Enquirer," April 15, 1906.]
Muckrake in sense "person who hunts scandal" is attested from 1872. To muckrake (v.) in the literal sense is from 1879; figuratively from 1910. Related: Muckraking.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • muckraker — muck rak er, n. A person who habitually muckrakes. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Muckraker — es, en inglés, el nombre con el que se conoce al periodista o grupo semiorganizado de periodistas o escritores norteamericanos que, a comienzos del siglo XX, se dedicaron a denunciar públicamente la corrupción política, la explotación laboral y… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Muckraker — McClure s (cover, Jan, 1901) published many early muckraker articles. The term muckraker is closely associated with reform oriented journalists who wrote largely for popular magazines, continued a tradition of investigative journalism reporting,… …   Wikipedia

  • Muckraker — Als Muckraker (engl. für Mistkratzer, Schmutzaufwühler, Nestbeschmutzer) wurden am Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts US amerikanische Journalisten und Schriftsteller bezeichnet, die als Väter des investigativen Journalismus gelten können. Ihr Wirken… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • muckraker — See muckrake. * * * n any of a group of US writers in the early 1900s who wrote criticizing aspects of US life, such as dishonest behaviour in business and government, companies making children work long hours, and unfair treatment of black… …   Universalium

  • muckraker — noun one who spreads real or alleged scandal about another (usually for political advantage) • Syn: ↑mudslinger • Derivationally related forms: ↑muckrake • Topics: ↑politics, ↑political science, ↑government …   Useful english dictionary

  • Muckraker — Un muckraker (de muck : fange /ordure / boue et to rake : fouiller) est un journaliste ou un écrivain qui enquête et publie des rapports véridiques soulevant des questions de société, généralement en rapport avec la criminalité et la… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Muckraker — Muck|ra|ker [ mʌkreɪkə], der; s, [s] [engl. muckraker, zu: to muckrake = im Schmutz wühlen; Skandale aufdecken, aus: muck = Dreck u. to rake = wühlen, stöbern]: Journalist od. Schriftsteller (bes. in den USA zu Beginn des 20. Jh.s), der soziale,… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Muckraker — Muck|ra|ker [ mʌkreikɐ] der; s, [s] <aus gleichbed. engl. amerik. muckraker zu to muckrake »Skandale aufdecken; im Dreck wühlen«> Journalist od. Schriftsteller (bes. in den USA zu Beginn des 20. Jh.s), der soziale, politische u. ökonomische …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • Muckraker (disambiguation) — * A muckraker is a journalist, author or filmmaker who investigates and exposes political and/or social corruption. * The Muckrakers (band) Is a Louisville based rock band …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”