Shashi Tharoor, the Congress Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram, has introduced a new term, ‘quockerwodger’, as an alternative descriptor for political loyalists often referred to as ‘andhbhakts’, ‘godi’, or ‘paid followers’. This term is intended to characterise individuals perceived as political puppets, who act under the influence of others, following their directives without independent thought.

Tharoor, known for his penchant for using uncommon English vocabulary, shared his thoughts on social media platform X. He provided a definition of ‘quockerwodger’, stating it refers to “a political puppet; a person who is controlled by someone else and acts on their instructions.” This suggestion aims to provide a fresh lexical option for those frustrated with existing labels.

In his post, Tharoor remarked, “For those tired of describing people as ‘andhbhakts’, ‘godi’, ‘paid followers’ and the like, an acceptable alternative?” This move underscores his ongoing effort to enrich political discourse with unique terminology.

Previous Use and Context

This is not the first instance in which Tharoor has employed the term ‘quockerwodger’ in a political context. In September, he referred to it as the “word of our era,” seemingly aimed at critiquing the current government. He noted, “I think our ruling party has spawned a few of these in the last dozen years,” indicating a belief that such individuals have proliferated under the current administration.

Terms like ‘andhbhakts’ and ‘godi media’ have become commonplace among critics of the government, used to describe unwavering supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and certain media outlets accused of perpetuating the government’s narrative. Tharoor’s introduction of ‘quockerwodger’ fits within this broader context of political language, reflecting the ongoing tensions in Indian politics.

Tharoor previously highlighted the meaning of ‘quockerwodger’ in April 2022, labelling it a valuable addition to India’s political vocabulary. His consistent focus on rare English words has encouraged his followers to engage with language in new ways, often prompting them to look up definitions and understand their implications.

Tharoor’s Linguistic Contributions

In addition to ‘quockerwodger’, Tharoor has introduced several other unusual words to his audience. Among these is ‘allodoxaphobia’, which he defined as an irrational fear of opinions. He has also used ‘farrago’, meaning a confused mixture, and ‘troglodyte’, referring to someone considered deliberately ignorant or outdated. Each of these terms has been employed to enhance discussions surrounding political issues.

Through these linguistic contributions, Tharoor aims to foster a richer dialogue about politics in India. His efforts to introduce uncommon vocabulary serve not only to critique the political landscape but also to encourage a deeper engagement with language among the public.

With his latest post, Tharoor has once again added an uncommon English word to the political lexicon, providing an alternative description for individuals he perceives as acting under external influence. This initiative highlights his ongoing commitment to exploring the intersection of language and politics, while also inviting others to consider the implications of their words.

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