trapo n. a traditional politician believed to be corrupt. Etymological Note: < Tgl. ‘dirty rag, old rag’ < Span. ‘cleaning cloth.’ (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
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Additional etymological note:
Trapo is also a blend word or fusion, combining the first syllables of TRA-ditional PO-litician. In the beginning, Philippine journalists and “street parliamentarians” (that is, activists) used “tradpol” to refer to traditional politicians. At some point, someone must have noticed that “trapo” was a better combination because it’s also the Spanish-derived Tagalog word for rag.
Thanks! Very useful.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo = Trapo