muckraking
UK[ˈmʌkreɪkɪŋ]US[ˈmʌkreɪkɪŋ]
n
the action of searching out and publicizing scandal about famous people.
n
the practice of investigating and exposing issues of corruption, especially in business or politics.
Morpheme Breakdown
muck
raking
muck
dirt
raking
collecting
Etymology
the term is a compound formed from two english words, 'muck' and 'rake'. it originated in early 20th-century american english, popularized by president theodore roosevelt in 1906. roosevelt borrowed it from john bunyan's pilgrim's progress, where the 'man with the muck-rake' was so focused on raking filth on the floor that he ignored a celestial crown offered to him. the modern sense evolved from this literal image of dredging up dirt to the figurative practice of exposing scandalous and corrupt activities. it captures the logic of investigative journalism that digs up and brings to light unpleasant truths.
Analysis
Structure: muck (dirt) + raking (collecting)
muck: origin: middle english, probably of scandinavian origin (e.g., old norse myki 'dung'). functional role: base noun, providing the core meaning of 'dirt' or 'filth'.
raking: origin: old english racian 'to go, proceed, move'. functional role: present participle/gerund of the verb 'rake', here meaning 'to gather, collect, or dredge up'.
Examples
the journalist was awarded for her persistent muckraking that led to the official's resignation.
his career was built on muckraking, exposing corporate fraud and political graft.
some critics dismissed the book as sensationalist muckraking rather than serious journalism.