gerrymander 的词源

1812年，指“在不顾自然边界的情况下，安排政治区划，以便在选举中给某一政党带来优势”，作为名词使用也始于1812年，源自埃尔布里奇 Gerry 的名字与 (sala)mander 的结合。Gerry 是马萨诸塞州的州长，当时他的政党为了维持反联邦党人的多数地位，公然对州内选区进行重新划分，因而遭到嘲讽。其中一个横跨埃塞克斯县的大选区形状像一只蝾螈，一位报纸编辑便称其为 Gerrymander。相关词汇包括 Gerrymandered（已划分的选区）和 gerrymandering（选区划分操控）。

[T]he division of this county into districts has given an opportunity for a Caracatura stamped at Boston and freely circulated here called the Gerrymander. The towns as they lie are disposed as parts of a monster whose feet and claws are Salem and Marblehead. It is one of those political tricks which have success as far as they go. [William Bentley, diary, April 2, 1812]

[T]his county's division into districts has led to the creation of a caricature that was stamped out in Boston and is now freely circulated here, called the Gerrymander. The towns are arranged like parts of a monster, with Salem and Marblehead as its feet and claws. This is one of those political tricks that succeed as far as they go. [威廉·本特利，日记，1812年4月2日]