- Poodle (insult)
A poodle in
politics is aninsult used to describe apolitician that obediently or passively follows the lead of others.Watson R. Tony Blair: The US poodle? BBC News/Analysis. January 31, 2003. URL: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2711623.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2711623.stm] . Accessed on: May 17, 2007.] It is considered to be equivalent to "lackey ".Online Etymology Dictionary. URL: [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=poodle http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=poodle] . Accessed on: July 2, 2007.]Usage of the term is thought to relate to the passive and obedient nature of the type of
dog . Occasionally, it is used comparatively, e.g. "Big cases will decide ifwatchdog is just another poodle". [Day M. Big cases will decide if watchdog is just another poodle. Australian, The. April 12, 2007. Available at: [http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/markday/index.php/theaustralian/comments/big_cases_will_decide_if_watchdog_is_just_another_poodle/P60/ http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/markday/index.php/theaustralian/comments/big_cases_will_decide_if_watchdog_is_just_another_poodle/P60/] . Accessed on: May 17, 2007.]In
Israel , a rookielawmaker tried to have the term's use banned from theIsraeli parliament . [Copans L. Israeli lawmaker wants to ban 68 insults in parliament. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The. July 1, 2001. Available at: [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_20010701/ai_n10709100 http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_20010701/ai_n10709100] . Accessed on: May 17, 2007.]In recent times, it has been used against
Tony Blair with regard to his close relationship withGeorge W. Bush and the actions surrounding Iraq. Pop star George Michael used it in his 2002 song "Shoot the Dog," the video of which showed Blair as a poodle on the White House lawn. However, it has a longer history as being a label to criticize British leaders perceived to be too close to theUSA . [Assinder N. Blair battles "poodle" jibes. BBC News. February 3, 2003. URL: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2721513.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2721513.stm] . Accessed on: May 17, 2007.]References
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