PoliticsAugust 11, 2026

flotsam

FLOT-sum

Definition

Refuse, debris, or people considered unimportant and cast aside.

Etymology

Derived from the Anglo-French 'floteson', which relates to the verb 'floter' meaning 'to float,' and was historically used in maritime law to describe wreckage found floating on the sea.

In the news

The author uses this term to disparage political figures from past administrations, characterizing them as discarded, irrelevant debris lingering in the current political landscape.

The Last Thing We Need Right Now Is a Messy Bipartisan Overhaul of Social Security

Read the full article ↗

Esquire

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