Capitol Corner
GOP: Origins of Term
What does GOP stand for?
It stands for "Grand Old Party." According to the Republican National Committee, the term originated in the late 1870's when publications such as The Cincinnati Commercial, The Boston Post, and The New York Herald, among others, began using it in their headlines.
They further speculate that the popularity of Britain's Prime Minister in the 1880's, William Gladstone, who was known as the "Grand Old Man," or G.O.M., may have further encouraged use of the GOP moniker in this country.
Over the years, Republicans themselves often referred to their party as the Grand Old Party, based on their dominance of both the Congress and the Presidency for the period after the Civil War up until President Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933. Prior to Roosevelt's election, Republicans controlled the White House for 56 years, the Senate for 60 years, and the House for 50 years.