Etymologically
Log in

politician

Etymology and origin of the English word politician

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1586

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˌpɒl.ɪˈtɪʃ.ən/ (UK); /ˌpɑ.ləˈtɪʃ.ən/, /ˌpɒl.ɪˈtɪʃ.ən/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from politic and -ian,[2][3] or from French politicien.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

A politic, shrewd person, chiefly in a sinister sense: 1588 in the OED;[4] a person skilled in politics, the 1580s in Etymonline;[5] MWU dates it to 1586.[2]

Semantic evolution

One versed in the art of governing is from 1589.[4] One engaged in party politics, especially as a trade, is from 1628, and the word quickly took on overtones that were not typically good: one concerned with public affairs for profit.[4][5] Johnson (1755) defined it as one versed in the arts of government, and in another sense as a man of artifice, quoting Lear's scurvy politician.[6][5] The Century Dictionary contrasts it with statesman, which implies disinterested and able service.[5]

Timeline

  • 1586 – first use (MWU).[2]
  • 1588 – a shrewd schemer.[4]
  • 1589 – one versed in government.[4]
  • 1628 – a party politician.[4]
  • 1755 – Johnson's definitions.[6]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A person who is professionally involved in politics, especially as an elected official.
  2. A person who acts in a shrewd, self-interested way to gain advantage.

Word family

  • geopolitician
  • nonpolitician

Usage notes

The Century Dictionary, quoted by Etymonline, notes that a man would not properly be called a statesman unless he also had eminent ability in public affairs.[5]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b Johnson, Samuel (1755), A Dictionary of the English Language, London; 4th ed. 1773; Johnson's Dictionary Online, ed. Beth Rapp Young et al.
Cite this entry

“Politician.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/politician. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·