heresthetics
n.— «Even if problems, solutions, and politics are coupled, it is still possible to lose during formal adoption sessions to shrewd opponents who find ways to split the coalition or to use the formal decision-making rules of the relevant arena to defeat what otherwise would be a “sure” winner. This is where a knowledge of “heresthetics”—the name Riker (1996) gives to “the art of political manipulation”—is essential. » —by John M. Bryson, Barbara C. Crosby Leadership for the Common Good Nov. 4, 1992. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a word-pecker is “a person who trifles or plays with, or quibbles over, words.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Word-Peckers” I always love it when I’m looking through the dictionary and...
In 1916, a small-town newspaper in Pennsylvania printed a fanciful item about a local gathering with a guest list that included, among others, Miss Ella Vader, Mr. Ray Zor, and other punny names. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...