Today's London Review of Books explains Trump phenomena

[ChairmanAgnostic]

Last issue had a review involving the selection of Trump and his unbelievable rise. A GREAT letter to the editor contains this priceless gem:

"If Eliot Wienberger still finds himself perplexed by the Republican Party's deletion of Donald Trump as its presidential candidate, he need look no further than the OED (Oxford English Dictionary) for an explanation:

trumpery [n]

1. Deceit, fraud, imposture, trickery. Obs.

2. Something of less value than it seems; hence 'something of no value,trifles'; worthless stuff, trash, rubbish.

b. Applied to abstract things, as beliefs, practices, discourse, writing, etc: nonsense, 'rubbish.'

c. Applied contemptuously to religious practices, ceremonies, ornaments, etc.; regarded as idle or superstitious.

d. Showy, but unsubstantial apparel, worthless finery."

I had no idea the OED used Teh Donald as a template for some of the definitions contained therein. Their unerring accuracy is almost scary.