Bully pulpit

Bully pulpit

A bully pulpit is a public office of sufficiently high rank that provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter. The bully pulpit can bring issues to the fore that were not initially in debate, due to the office's stature and publicity.

This term was coined by President Theodore Roosevelt, who referred to the American presidency as a "bully pulpit," by which he meant a terrific platform from which to advocate an agenda. Roosevelt often used the word as an adjective meaning "superb" or "wonderful" (a more common expression in his time than it is today); the term has no relationship to the word bully in the sense of "a harasser". A pulpit is the elevated platform used by a preacher.

External links

* [http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/bullypul.htm C-SPAN Congressional Glossary]


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  • bully pulpit — n. [< phrase attributed by G. Putnam (1926) to ROOSEVELT2 Theodore, referring to the presidency as offering “such a bully [= fine] pulpit” for preaching: present use from later interpretation of bully in this phrase as BULLY1, sense 1] a… …   English World dictionary

  • bully pulpit — ul ly pul pit, n. An exceptionally advantageous position from which to extol one s ideas; applied especially to the presidency of the United States, which was described thus by President Theodore Rossevelt. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bully pulpit — bully ,pulpit noun singular AMERICAN a position of authority that gives someone the ability to influence a large number of people …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • bully pulpit — 1904, coined by U.S. president Teddy Roosevelt, in reference to the White House …   Etymology dictionary

  • bully pulpit — noun a public office of sufficiently high rank that it provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter the American presidency is a bully pulpit • Hypernyms: ↑public office * * * noun, pl ⋯ pits [count] US :… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Bully Pulpit Games — Bully Pulpit Games, based in Carrboro, North Carolina, is a publisher of indie role playing games. Their games include The Shab al Hiri Roach and Grey Ranks. Bully Pulpit s Jason Morningstar is also the creator of Dungeon Squad, although this… …   Wikipedia

  • bully pulpit — noun Date: 1976 a prominent public position (as a political office) that provides an opportunity for expounding one s views; also such an opportunity …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • bully pulpit — a position of authority or public visibility, esp. a political office, from which one may express one s views. * * * …   Universalium

  • bully pulpit — noun an advantageous position from which to express ones views …   Wiktionary

  • bully pulpit — position or office of influence that provides an ideal place from which to spread one s views or opinions …   English contemporary dictionary

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