carpetbagger
UK /ˈkɑːpɪtˌbaɡə/ · US /ˈkɑɹpɪtˌbæɡɚ/ noun
Forms carpetbaggers carpet bagger
- noun (politics, history, chiefly US, offensive) A migrant from the Northern to the Southern States after the American Civil War of 1861–5, especially one who went South to gain political influence.
- noun (derogatory, by extension) One who comes to a place or organisation with which they have no previous connection with the sole or primary aim of personal gain, especially political or financial gain.
Etymology
From carpetbag + -er, because many carried their belongings in cheap luggage made from carpet fabric.
Webster’s 1913
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “carpetbagger”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details