gerrymander
イギリスのメイ首相が選挙せずに首相になったことやイギリスの政治家と選挙事情などといった筆者の意見が述べられています。
May has never won an election as prime minister. We must ensure she never does
As Labour gathers in Liverpool, we should reflect on the past year. We mourn the loss of Jo Cox, who was killed doing the job she loved, in the community she loved. Her loss reminds us that there are those, motivated by hate, who would tear down everything we hold dear. Jo will forever remind us that we have far more in common than that which divides us.
There must be strong opposition in parliament. It is vital if we are to challenge the reintroduction of grammar schools, the unfair changes to political party funding that will break the link between Labour and the trade unions, or the Tories’ decision to ignore two million voters in their bid to gerrymander the parliamentary boundaries. Theresa May has a tiny majority in parliament, and a party split over Europe. Labour must be giving a voice to the many communities that need us across the country.
今回取り上げる表現は，“gerrymander”です。発音記号は，/dʒérimæ`ndər/です。これは，『ジーニアス英和辞典』（大修館書店）によると，「（選挙区を）自党に有利なように勝手に改変する」や「（規則などを）都合よく変える，ごまかす」といった意味があります。名詞になると，「ゲリマンダー《勝手な選挙区改変》」という意味になります。さらに，英語の定義を確認してみると，Oxford Dictionary“Manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favour one party or class.”とあり，日本語と差異は，あまりないように感じます。
この表現の由来は，同上の辞書に，アメリカのマサチューセッツ州知事Gerry/géri/が改変した選挙区の地形がsalamanderに似ていたことから，Gerry＋salamanderで，“gerrymander”になりました。(Nao)
