Grammar Girl: For Writers and Language Lovers. What Roman togas have to do with today's elections. 'Home in' versus 'hone in.'
Nov 4, 2025
Explore the intriguing origins of political terms like 'candidate' and 'incumbent,' connecting them to Roman traditions and Latin roots. Discover how 'campaign' transitioned from military to political contexts and the fascinating history behind 'stump speeches.' Unravel the confusion between 'home in' and 'hone in,' with vivid examples tied to homing pigeons and spiders. Gain clarity on voting terminology and enjoy a charming family story about a unique phrase involving gift wrapping!
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Why 'Candidate' Evokes Brightness
- The word candidate derives from Latin candidatus, meaning clothed in bright white togas chalked for purity.
- That root also yields candid, candle, and incandescent, all tied to brightness and shining.
Campaign's Military Roots
- The modern political campaign comes from military campaigns on the open field (Latin campus).
- In the 1800s people began using the term for political efforts as candidates went into the metaphorical field of battle.
Stump Speech Comes From Tree Stumps
- "Stump speech" began when frontier politicians stood on tree stumps to be seen and heard.
- The term now denotes a candidate's repeated standard speech on the campaign trail.
