Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has offered an unusual addition to India's political vocabulary, suggesting the English word 'quockerwodger' for describing people who act as political puppets under someone else's influence.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP shared the term on X, explaining that it refers to "a political puppet; a person who is controlled by someone else and acts on their instructions".
In his post, Tharoor suggested the word as an alternative for those who frequently use expressions such as 'andhbhakts', 'godi' and 'paid followers' to describe political loyalists.
Known for introducing uncommon English words to social media audiences, Tharoor's latest post has once again drawn attention to his interest in language and political commentary.
What Does 'Quockerwodger' Mean?
The term 'quockerwodger' refers to a puppet-like figure controlled by another person and made to act according to their instructions. Tharoor used the definition in a political context, suggesting it could describe individuals who appear to follow someone else's direction rather than act independently.
The word is relatively uncommon in everyday conversation, making it another example of Tharoor's distinctive approach to political messaging through vocabulary.
Tharoor Had Used the Word Earlier
This is not the first time the Congress MP has used 'quockerwodger' to make a political point. In September, he described it as the "word of our era" in an apparent criticism of the ruling establishment, adding that he believed the ruling party had produced several such figures over the previous 12 years.
Tharoor had also explained the word in April 2022, calling it a useful addition to India's political vocabulary.
Other Unusual English Words Used by Tharoor
Over the years, Tharoor has introduced several less familiar English expressions through his social media posts.
Among them is 'allodoxaphobia', which refers to an irrational fear of opinions, and 'farrago', meaning a confused mixture. He has also used 'troglodyte' to describe someone considered deliberately ignorant or old-fashioned.
Terms such as 'andhbhakts' and 'godi media' are commonly used by critics of the government to describe staunch BJP supporters and sections of the media they accuse of promoting the government's narrative.
With his latest post, Tharoor has once again combined political commentary with an uncommon English word, giving social media users another vocabulary lesson and a fresh expression for political debate.
Conversation
Be kind and stay on topic. Comments are moderated; abuse, spam and personal attacks are removed. Report a problem