n. A Northerner who sided with the South in the decades leading up to the US Civil War, especially a member of Congress who supported slavery. [Coined by John Randolph (1773–1833), American plantation owner and Congressional representative from Virginia who condemned the cowardice of Northern politicians who abetted the spread of slavery despite their abolitionist principles by likening such politicians to people wearing masks of dough who are frightened by their own appearance : DOUGH (in reference to the masks made of dough worn by mummers in traditional American celebrations) + FACE.] |
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