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A.Word.A.Day--mugwump Pronunciation: WAV or RealAudio mugwump (MUG-wump) noun 1. A person who acts independently or remains neutral, especially in politics. 2. Often Mugwump. A Republican who bolted the party in 1884, refusing to support presidential candidate James G. Blaine. [Massachusett mugquomp, mummugquomp, war leader.] "Mr. and Mrs. America are hopelessly moderate mugwumps, difference-splitters par excellence." Chris Tucker, Middle class sees few fringe benefits, The Dallas Morning News, 26 Apr 1998. mugwump, n. In politics one afflicted with self-respect and addicted to the vice of independence. A term of contempt. [From The Devil's Dictionary] This week's theme: Words from The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce. X-Bonus To see things in the seed, that is genius. -Lao-tzu

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