Etymology

Shermanesque

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Today it means: Having the intent of refusing a nomination to public office, or of refusing to serve in such office if elected. Full definition →

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The story

From Sherman + -esque, after American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman, who declined when being considered as a possible Republican candidate for the presidential election of 1884, saying, "I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected."

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.