LOG-ROLLING

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1676, 13 April 1904, Page 66

LOG-ROLLING

In the new “Oxford Dictionary,” edited b - Dr Murray, an account is given of ithe origin and use of the term logrolling : U.'S. —The action of rolling logs to any required spot; a meeting for co-opera-tion in doing this. 1848 Thoreau “Maine W.” (1894) 19: Occasionally there was a small opening on, the bank, made for the purpose of log-rolling.

1859 Miss Cary “Country Life” (187 G): It was less welcome than as if it had brought a log-rolling. 1883 “Harper’s Mag.” Jan.: The great festivals of Western life are camp-meiuings, barbecues and log-rollings. 1893 “Westm. Gaz.” May IGaFor the special benefit of the distinguished 'spectators an elaborate display of log-rolling was given.

U.S. slang. —Combination for mutual assistance in political or other action. Suggested by the proverbial phrase, “You roll my log and I’ll roll yours.” 1823 “Niles’ Weekly Reg.” June 7: That sort of “management,” now rather more fashionable, and known by the dignified appellation of “leg-rolling”—that is, a buying and selling of votes. 18414 Emerson “Ess., Poet Wits.” (Bohn): Our log-rolling, our stumps, aryl their politics are yet unsung. 1879 “Times” June 19: The bribe was political prpeferment, or “log-rolling - ’ —that is, help in passing other bills. 1888 Bryce “Amor. Commw.’’ I. 1. xv, 213: Corruption appears chiefly in (the milder form of reciprocal jobbing or (as it is called) “logrolling.”