hustings
pronunciation
How to pronounce hustings in British English:
UK [ˈhʌstɪŋz]
How to pronounce hustings in American English:
US [ˈhʌstɪŋz]
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- Noun:
- the activities involved in political campaigning (especially speech making)
Word Origin
- hustings (n.)
- Old English husting "meeting, court, tribunal," from Old Norse husðing "council," from hus "house" (see house (n.)) + ðing "assembly" (see thing); so called because it was a meeting of the men who formed the "household" of a nobleman or king. The native Anglo-Saxon word for this was folc-gemot. The plural became the usual form c. 1500; sense of "temporary platform for political speeches" developed by 1719, apparently from London's Court of Hustings, presided over by the Lord Mayor, which was held on a platform in the Guildhall. This sense broadened to encompass the whole election process.
Example
- 1. Why can 't you take to the hustings , persuade your fellow citizens .
- 2. Now , do not let them lure you to the hustings , my dear mr. brooke .
- 3. A more diffuse schedule would allow poorer candidates more time to make an impression on the cheap , at the hustings .
- 4. At the hustings , socialism can be a drag .
- 5. He was one of the great hustings performers .