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RE: TIL: The origin of "gerrymander"
Lots of interesting little facts that I didn't know in this post. "Gerry" with a hard-G, and he went on to become vice president. Also that the practice existed for a century before it received a name.
I don't think I've ever heard "Gerry" pronounced with a hard G before, but now I'm guessing that "Gerry" and "Gary" come from the same root.
Also, he might not have been very good at what he did (by some accounts at least). He effed things up with France at one point, confused his constituents with apparently conflicting principles guiding his position on various political or social topics.
Evidently, he was hesitant to sign the bill that became his legacy, he refused to sign the constitution because it did not enumerate individual rights (hadn't yet included a bill of rights), and took a hard stand against slavery. Maybe he was just an opportunist, or he had the good fortune of family connections or whatnot?
In any case I'm sure there are other things he could have been remembered for were it not for a stunning and memorable critique in a newspaper with a clever take on current events.
I wonder if it's more common across the pond...
I was thinking the same thing. Could be last name vs. first name, too. Hard or soft "G", I don't think I've known anyone with "Gerry" as a last name.