Know-Nothings

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A party opposed to the holding of public office by immigrants or Roman Catholics. The Know-Nothings, also known as “nativists,” insisted that only true, “native” Americans should serve in the government. The party was quite successful in the 1850s but split over the slavery question. Its official name was the American party. It picked up the “Know-Nothing” tag because its members, maintaining secrecy about the party's activities, customarily answered questions with, “I know nothing.”

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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notes for Know-Nothings

Today, the term know-nothing is usually applied to bigots.

Words nearby Know-Nothings

knowledge worker, Knowles, know like a book, known, know-nothing, Know-Nothings, known quantity, know one's own mind, know one's place, know one's stuff, know one's way around

How to use Know-Nothings in a sentence

Instead, the Know-Nothings were briefly a force to be reckoned with.
A Brief History of Wingnuts in America; From George Washington to Woodstock|John Avlon|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But what to do about the determination of Tea Party know-nothings and those who think just like them?
Blame Guns for Domestic Murder Epidemic|Cliff Schecter|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When you say around us, again, around us liberal arts know-nothings.
Hanging Out with Ian McEwan: Full Transcript|The Daily Beast Video|April 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
But there is a party lately come into the field, and called the Know-nothings, which requires a special notice.
Lands of the Slave and the Free|Henry A. Murray

As a part of the history of the times, it may be proper to give the rise and progress of the so-called order of "Know-Nothings."
Mysticism and its Results|John Delafield
The Know-nothings arose and disappeared, without accomplishing anything.
Children of the Market Place|Edgar Lee Masters
The Americans or Know-Nothings everywhere put out in 1854 full tickets and showed at once surprising strength.
The Abolition Crusade and Its Consequences|Hilary Abner Herbert
She looks like she knew a awful lot, but she don't know nothings 'tall.
Little Aliens|Myra Kelly