A politician who deserts his party. The word was used by Earl Malmesbury in this sense in 1792, and this use may have originated with him.
1800. Pray sir, what is the meaning of the words, “Rats, Rats, Rats,” in your last Centinel? [It is explained as meaning those who, deserting an apparently sinking ship, resigned their offices.]—The Aurora, Phila., July 2.
1800. Two weeks later, appears a comical letter from “An Old Rat-catcher” to “William Duane, Rat-catcher to their Majesties the People of the U.S.”
1800. We could tell some curious things of this federal Rat [Kittera].—Id., Aug. 5.
1800. A great big Rat, John Lawrence, Esq., has resigned his seat as a senator from New-York in the Senate of the U.S.—Id., Aug. 22.
1800. John Reed of Mass. is labelled as “Another, and a Black Rat.”—Id., Sept. 5.
1800. “Register of Rats Augmented” by 14 names.—Id., Oct. 7.
1800. “Another Voracious Rat.”—Heading of a short article concerning Oliver Wolcott.—Id., Nov. 28.
1800.
| Register of Rats Augmented. | |
| Rats thrown Over Board. | |
| About to jump Overboard. | |
Id., Dec. 16. |
[1812. I think the old hulk [England] in which you are is near her wreck, and that, like a prudent rat, you should escape in time.—Tho. Jefferson to Jas. Maury, April 25, from Monticello].
1826. It revived very strongly the recollection of the “ratting” (as the English phrase it) among the “minority-men,” some twelve or fourteen years ago.—John Randolph to Dr. Brockenbrough, Jan. 6: H. A. Garland, ‘Life,’ ii. 263 (1851).
