Bully pulpit

Theodore Roosevelt delivering a speech in 1902

A "bully pulpit" is a conspicuous position that provides an opportunity to speak out and be listened to.

The term was coined by United States President Theodore Roosevelt, who referred to his office as a "bully pulpit," by which he meant a good platform from which to advocate an agenda. Roosevelt used the word bully as an adjective meaning "superb" or "wonderful", a more common usage at that time.

The phrase was first printed in The New York Times in the year 1909.

References

  1. 1 2 Elving, Ron (July 4, 2017). "Trump Puts A Twist On The Meaning Of 'Bully Pulpit'". NPR.
  2. ↑ Cullinane, Michael Patrick; Elliott, Clare Frances (February 18, 2014). Perspectives on Presidential Leadership: An International View of the White House. Routledge. pp. 80–. ISBN 978-1-135-07903-1.
  3. ↑ Nelson, Stephen James (September 16, 2009). "Chapter 4 The Bully Pulpit: Use It or Lose It". Leaders in the Crossroads: Success and Failure in the College Presidency. R&L Education. pp. 75–. ISBN 978-1-60709-249-0.