wonkery
/ˈwɒŋkəri/
Definition
The use of overly technical, complex, or obscure administrative maneuvers to manipulate data or obscure the true state of a budget or policy.
Etymology
The term is derived from the noun 'wonk'—a slang term for a person who takes an excessive, often nerdy interest in technical details—with the suffix '-ery' added to denote a practice or behavior associated with such individuals. It emerged in political and journalistic circles to describe the dense, detail-oriented work of policy experts and bureaucrats.
In the news
In this article, 'wonkery' describes the complex and arguably deceptive 'cycle roll' accounting technique used by lawmakers to balance the budget on paper. It highlights the frustration of critics who believe such technical maneuvering obscures the reality of the state's financial health.
The accounting tricks that balanced Pa.’s budget — but only on paper
Read the full article ↗The Latrobe Bulletin