Watergate, Weinergate, and Windrush: the Naming of Political Scandals

New proper names are coined in many ways. Descriptions get institutionalized: A creek on rocky ground becomes known as Rock Creek; a gatelike wooden structure at the mouth of Rock Creek, in Washington, D.C., becomes known as the Water Gate.

Two-part names can be amalgamated: A hotel and office complex near the Water Gate was christened Watergate.

Reference can then be extended through metonymy: The scandal arising out of a Nixon-era break-in at the Watergate took its name, and as Wikipedia corr...