This expression is used literally; also, metaphorically, of an overwhelming defeat at the polls.
1838. On the 10th ult., the city of Natchez was thrown into consternation by a landslide.—The Jeffersonian, Albany, March 10.
1838. In the season of flood the settlers [on the Mississippi], in their log-cabins along the banks, are often startled from their sleep by the deep, sullen crash of a “land-slip,” as such removals are called.—E. Flagg, ‘The Far West,’ i. 82 (N.Y.).
1856. If he cannot pick any other quarrel, he will get himself comfortably gored by a bull’s horns, like Egil, or slain by a land-slide, like the agricultural King Onund.—Emerson, ‘English Traits; Race,’ iv. 65. (N.E.D.)
1862. When the land-slide [at Goldau] took place,… it buried the beautiful village.—Mr. W. D. Kelley of Pa., House of Repr., May 21: Cong. Globe, p. 2272/1.
1895. There was then a great landslide of votes for McClellan, until all but the most uncompromising of the Peace Democrats had gone over to the inevitable nominee.—Noah Brooks, ‘Two War-time Conventions,’ Century Mag., xlix. p. 734/1 (March). (N.E.D.)
1908. At some of the playhouses actors will appear during the intermissions, and announce something like: “Mr. Taft has carried Alabama by 100,000,” or “a Massachusetts landslide gives Mr. Bryan 200,000 votes.”—N.Y. Evening Post, Nov. 2.
1910. They have not always spared even Pennsylvania. In the two famous “landslides” of 1882 and 1890, the Democrats carried that rock-ribbed stronghold by majorities of 40,000 and 16,000.—Id., March 21.
