Boodling

/ˈbuːdlɪŋ/ noun

Definition

The act or practice of engaging in graft, bribery, or corrupt political dealings.

Etymology

The gerund or present participle of 'boodleize,' formed by adding '-ing' to the verb stem. Common in 19th-century American political writing to describe ongoing corrupt activities.

Kelly Says

'Boodling' as a continuous action word made readers realize corruption wasn't a one-time scandal but something happening constantly in city halls—this linguistic choice reinforced calls for systematic reform.

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