Weekly Word: Bork

To bork is “to attack (a candidate or public figure) systematically, esp. in the media.” Wikipedia has a longer description:

a term used by American conservatives for an orchestrated campaign to discredit a candidate for high public office by fostering belief that he has expressed opinions on issues of public importance that no reasonable, well-intentioned person could agree with and that would have disastrous consequences if given effect, without seriously attempting to rebut his (actual) opinions on the merits. Named after Robert Bork, whose nomination to the Supreme Court (according to his supporters) was defeated in such a way.

I’ve never come across this word before. It sounds like it should be from a bad sci-fi movie, not a legal scholar’s name. But I like how it sounds, so I’ll be looking for an opportunity to use it.