“Pork” seems to be a favorite word among right and left politicians alike. I always assumed it was a reference to waste or spending that was ultimately unhealthful.
Not so, according to NPR Political Junkie:
Pork is short for pork barrel. Wordsmith William Safire said it began before the Civil War, likening lawmakers plundering budget funds with slaves rushing a barrel of salt pork put out by the master.
Damn. Can the people who get riled up about folks who use the phrase ‘tar baby‘ redirect their attention to ‘pork barrel’ now?