empty suit

English

Etymology

Derived from unfavorable observations that ineffective professionals are memorable only for their attire and not their accomplishments at the workplace. First use appears c. 1950 in the New York Times.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

empty suit (plural empty suits)

  1. (slang, derogatory, idiomatic, also politics) An ineffective or incompetent person in a place of authority.
    Coordinate term: stuffed shirt
  2. (politics) A politician who has not fulfilled any campaign promises.
    John Doe is an empty suit running on an anti-populist platform.

See also

References

  • littlegreenfootballs.com Oct 22, 2006, The Empty Suit, New York Times spokesman Barney Calame -- the widely-reviled, worthless "public editor".
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