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MUCKRAKE
muckrake
(verb) explore and expose misconduct and scandals concerning public figures; “This reporter was well-known for his muckraking”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
muckrake (plural muckrakes)
A rake for scraping up dung.
Verb
muckrake (third-person singular simple present muckrakes, present participle muckraking, simple past and past participle muckraked)
(intransitive) To search for and expose corruption or scandal, especially as a form of investigative journalism.
Source: Wiktionary
Muck"rake`, v. i. [imp. & p. p. -raked; p. pr. & vb. n. -raking.]
Definition: To seek for, expose, or charge, esp. habitually, corruption, real or alleged, on the part of public men and corporations. On April 14, 1906, President Roosevelt delivered a speech on "The Man with the Muck Rake," in which he deprecated sweeping and unjust charges of corruption against public men and corporations. The phrase was taken up by the press, and the verb to muck"rake`, in the above sense, and the noun muck"rak`er, to designate one so engaged, were speedily coined and obtained wide currency. The original allusion was to a character in Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" so intent on raking up muck that he could not see a celestial crown held above him.
Muck"rake`, v. i. [imp. & p. p. -raked; p. pr. & vb. n. -raking.]
Definition: To seek for, expose, or charge, esp. habitually, corruption, real or alleged, on the part of public men and corporations. On April 14, 1906, President Roosevelt delivered a speech on "The Man with the Muck Rake," in which he deprecated sweeping and unjust charges of corruption against public men and corporations. The phrase was taken up by the press, and the verb to muck"rake`, in the above sense, and the noun muck"rak`er, to designate one so engaged, were speedily coined and obtained wide currency. The original allusion was to a character in Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" so intent on raking up muck that he could not see a celestial crown held above him.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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