gate

The combining form –gate is used like a suffix meaning “scandal (often resulting from a concealed crime)” or “controversy.” It is often used in informal terms, especially in politics and journalism.

The form –gate comes from a shortened form of Watergate, a reference to the White House political scandal that came to light during the 1972 presidential campaign. The scandal centered on a break-in at the Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate apartment-office complex in Washington, D.C., and, after congressional hearings, culminated in the resignation of President Nixon in 1974.

An example of a word you may have encountered that features –gate is Deflategate, a term given to the allegation that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady ordered the deliberate deflation of footballs in the 2014 AFC Championship Game.

The deflate– part of the word means “to release the air or gas from.” As we have already seen, –gate is a combining form meaning “scandal.” Deflategate literally means “deflation scandal.”

What are some words that use the combining form –gate?

• Bridgegate
• Choppergate
• Pizzagate
• Spygate
• Taxigate
• Zippergate

What are some other forms that –gate may be commonly confused with?

• -ate
• -ation

Not every word that ends with the exact letters –gate, such as corrugate or subjugate, is necessarily using the combining form –gate to denote “scandal.” Learn why subjugate means “to bring under control” at our entry for the word.

Given the meaning of –gate, what does Taxigate likely refer to?