Caucus
/ˈkɔːkəs/noun
A closed meeting of a political party or group to decide policy or choose candidates.
Did you know?The earliest documented English uses of *caucus* appear in colonial Boston in the 18th century, and even then it meant a private, often backstage political meeting — the word itself has a murky origin, with no single agreed ancient root.
Etymological Timeline
18th Century
English
caucus
“a private political meeting or party meeting”
18th Century
English
caucus club
“a closed political clique or meeting group in Boston”
Origin uncertain
Unknown
—
“The word’s deeper source is disputed; proposals include Native American, nautical, or English dialect origins, but none is certain”
19th Century
English
caucus
“a party meeting for selecting candidates or deciding policy”
Modern English
English
caucus
“a closed meeting of members of a political party or faction”
Explore more surprising origins