By Betty Kirkpatrick
Most situations in life come accompanied by a series of words that get trotted out when and where appropriate, and elections are no exception. Central to the vocabulary of elections is the word candidate. Where would elections be without them?
Candidates are people who put themselves forward for some kind of post or award and are to be found in many walks of life. However, one of their favourite stomping grounds is the world of politics. Political candidates put themselves forward for election to some kind of political office.
I have no reason to believe that candidates in most areas of life are not absolutely squeaky clean, although there are bound to be a few exceptions. But there is no doubt that much cynicism is directed at the ethical standards of people in political office, and doubtless this will spill over on to those aspiring to such office. You do not need me to tell you that this cynicism has been caused by media exposure of inappropriate expenses claims and sleaze scandals.
Ironically, this grubby reputation that politicians have acquired is totally at odds with the historical background of the word candidate. If they remained true to the origins of the word, all candidates would be whiter than white.
The word candidate is derived from the Latin word candidatus, meaning someone standing for election. Candidatus is, in turn, derived from the Latin adjective candidus, meaning white. The connection between the colour white and the word candidate is that people who were standing for election to public office in ancient Rome, such as consul or praetor, wore white togas.
The toga is a traditional Roman flowing robe and white is a symbol of purity and integrity. It is fitting that it was the colour of suit sported by journalist Martin Bell who entered parliament on a sleaze-busting ticket in 1997, although I gather that white was his signature colour before he stood for parliament.
Ultimately, candidate traces its linguistic background to the Latin verb candere, meaning to glow or to be white. It shares this background with the English adjective candid, frank and plain-speaking, and the corresponding noun candour. Both of these, like purity, are singularly lacking in the world of politics. Candidates might want to think again about what they are getting into. Come to think of it, some of them already have.
Betty Kirkpatrick is the former editor of several classic reference books, including Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary and Roget’s Thesaurus. She is also the author of several smaller language reference books, including The Usual Suspects and Other Clichés published by Bloomsbury, and a series of Scots titles, including Scottish Words and Phrases, Scottish Quotations, and Great Scots, published by Crombie Jardine.
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