The remaining part of a tree trunk after the tree has been cut down. As a verb, to puzzle or challenge someone beyond their ability to respond, or to travel making political speeches.
From Middle English 'stumpe,' from Middle Low German 'stump' meaning a truncated or shortened object. The political meaning arose from American frontier practice of speakers literally standing on tree stumps to address crowds.
The phrase 'stumping' for political campaigning comes from the literal practice of using tree stumps as impromptu podiums in frontier America, where cleared land was abundant but formal stages were rare. Tree stumps can live for decades, sometimes sprouting new growth in a process called coppicing.
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