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Demagogue

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a political leader who appeals to popular prejudice

Where does the word "demagogue" come from? It comes from Greek dēmagōgos, passing through French before entering English (1640s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
dēmagōgos
Greek · ancient
"popular leader"
'leader of the people'; Athenian critics used it for populists such as Cleon, mocked by Aristophanes
2
Stage 2 of 3
démagogue
French · 1600s
"demagogue"
taken up in political pamphlets
3
Stage 3 of 3
demagogue
English · 1640s
"rabble-rouser"
used from the English Civil War onward as an insult
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Read the full story

Demagogue’s story begins in Greek: dēmagōgos meant “popular leader.” 'leader of the people'; Athenian critics used it for populists such as Cleon, mocked by Aristophanes. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as démagogue. Taken up in political pamphlets. It reached English by 1640s as demagogue. Used from the English Civil War onward as an insult. Today, demagogue means a political leader who appeals to popular prejudice.