birther

[ bur-ther ]

noun

1. a person who claims that the presidency of Barack Obama was unconstitutional, citing a belief that he was not born in the United States, or denying the authenticity of his birth certificate.
2. a person who claims that a former or current U.S. president or vice president, or a candidate for either office, was not born in the United States, questioning that person’s eligibility to hold the office.

Other Words From

• birth·er·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of birther¹

First recorded in 2005–10; birth ( def ) + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

As recently as last year, a YouGov poll found that 34 percent of Americans think it’s “probably true” or “definitely true” that Obama was born in Kenya, as the birther myth often claimed.

From FiveThirtyEight

And as for that whole birther controversy, he says he regrets none of it.

From The Daily Beast

Representative Alan Grayson, a Florida Democrat, is already playing the birther card on Ted Cruz.

From The Daily Beast

September 12, 2012 North Texas Tea Party Meeting Rafael Cruz had a birther moment last year at a gathering of Texas Tea Partiers.

From The Daily Beast

Rep. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma has come out of the closet—as a birther.

From The Daily Beast

Respondents who respond positively to the question are embracing elements of claims made by birther conspiracy theorists.

From The Daily Beast