Bloggergate: The Usage of the -Gate Suffix in Popular Culture

The usage of the term "-gate" when added on to a word is one that has become a part of our vernacular. Recently, we have seen "Deflategate," the scandal that involved Tom Brady, footballs, and the New England Patriots. But where did this phrase first come into popular use? To answer that question, we need to look at the birth of "-gate," the original Watergate scandal.

Nixon's Watergate

By now, we have probably all learned of Watergate: the break-in, the cover-up, the subsequent resignation of President Richard Nixon. The origins of Watergate are simple: the Watergate offices were the site of the break-ins at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. What merits another look, however, is the spread of the -gate suffix to extend to a number of controversies, many of which had nothing to do with politics.

How Did -Gate Originate?

According to many sources, William Safire, a writer for New York Times, first used the term in a public setting. From there, it was a matter of waiting for the phrase to catch on, and before long, -gate was being used for everything from war to business. 

Why -Gate?

The nature of Nixon's scandal was a key component in the rise of -gate. For one, it was an easy target. Everyone in the United States knew of Watergate, so it was a commonly recalled phrase. Second, the original scandal involved a cover-up job. This takes the meaning to a new level, makes it more specific. Today, most -gates involve some aspect of concealing the truth, which means that they can only apply to an especially nasty scandal.

But personally, I think it's becoming tired and has the markings of low-effort journalism. It may be time to coin a new phrase for an egregious public scandal. Although it is hard to come up with something as catchy as -gate.

Sources:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-05-29/news/ct-talk-gate-words-manker-0529-20120529_1_scandal-nixon-speechwriter-william-safire