# Can we please get past this "-gate" convention every time some scandal occurs? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 25, 2006, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098 "2006-06-25T17:03:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/21 "2006-06-25T21:11:21Z")
[QUOTE=Terrifel] Oh fine, _you_ try coming up with a better scandal name than “Nipplegate.” How about “Operation Mammary Freedom?” “Shock and Areola?” [/QUOTE] “Storm in a D-cup”? ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/22 "2006-06-25T21:30:03Z")
I suggested “Beat Up Waiter,” but was shouted down at the Press Club. ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/23 "2006-06-25T21:45:03Z")
One major scandal that seems to have escaped “gate-ism” is the Iran-Contra affair. Although I distinctly remember watching something on TV when the whole thing was going on, where this guy insisted on calling it “Iran-Gate”. Even though I was just a kid, I thought “That’s never going to stick! It’s awkward, and it doesn’t even make sense!” Of course, that hasn’t stopped people from gate-ing things ever since then. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/24 "2006-06-25T22:17:56Z")
I’m afraid I agree with **Larry Borgia** ; on top of that, the Watergate hotel that originated the term, continues to be scandal central: [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12634250/](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12634250/) > [@](#): > > FBI probes Watergate prostitution allegations > Infamous hotel used by defense contractor to entertain lawmakers? > > 4:38 p.m. MT May 4, 2006 > > WASHINGTON - The infamous Watergate Hotel is again at the center of political intrigue. > > “We have received subpoenas for documents,” says Watergate Hotel Assistant General Manager Josh Graham. “We have complied, but I cannot confirm names of individuals or companies that were part of those subpoenas.” > > FBI agents are investigating what happened in the hotel’s posh suites, which defense contractor Brent Wilkes turned into party suites for politicians and CIA officers. There was poker and cigars, and the FBI wants to know if there were prostitutes, too. A bit of trivia: Monica Lewinsky and mr Viagra, Ex-Sen Bob Dole, lived next door to each other at Watergate. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/25 "2006-06-25T22:41:34Z")
We’re all just gate-aholics. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/26 "2006-06-26T01:53:32Z")
I surprised we haven’t heard Taepodong-gate yet. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/27 "2006-06-26T02:19:39Z")
[QUOTE=ErinPuff] I’d just like to point out these sequential thread titles: **I am not a crook! Can we please get past this “-gate” convention every time some scandal occurs?** [/QUOTE] Now it’s equally Tricky: **Why does Hollywood like Dick so much? I am not a crook!** ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/28 "2006-06-26T05:23:08Z")
[QUOTE=Barbarian] Would you believe that Canadian journalists often use the -gate suffix? Boggles the mind. [/QUOTE] I remember Tunagate! For those not in the know: A member of the Ontario government’s cabinet in the mid 90s wondered why poor people weren’t eating healthier when such things as canned tuna were available. After all, canned tuna was cheap and healthy too. This did not go over well with most of the electorate, the rest of the cabinet, or the press. Thus, the necessary damage control became known as Tunagate. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/29 "2006-06-26T05:26:37Z")
Thank you, **Doors** , thank you, thank you. I’ve been saying this for years. The stupidest part is that it gives the impression that Watergate was a scandal about water. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/30 "2006-06-26T05:36:45Z")
[QUOTE=GIGObuster] I’m afraid I agree with **Larry Borgia** ; on top of that, the Watergate hotel that originated the term, continues to be scandal central: [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12634250/](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12634250/) A bit of trivia: Monica Lewinsky and mr Viagra, Ex-Sen Bob Dole, lived next door to each other at Watergate. [/QUOTE] My favorite is Wonkette, they refer to the new hookers at the Watergate Hotel as Watergategate 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/31 "2006-06-26T05:54:38Z")
> [@](#): > > **mhendo** : “Storm in a D-cup”? A D-cup Dome Scandal? (sssttttrrreeeeetttcccchhhhh way out there…) ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/32 "2006-06-26T06:00:46Z")
I hope someday there’s a scandal involving the CEO of Microsoft, just so we get to see “Gates-gate” on the evening news. Funny, how this “-gate” business was just an accident of the hotel’s name. Think for a moment just how much richer our language would be if the hotel was called, for instance, “The Peacock”. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/33 "2006-06-26T06:09:17Z")
**Airman Doors USAF** I agree. I’m sure some people would consider your “-gate” scandal suffix a minor rant, but that is what makes it so annoying. This is something that _can_ be changed. (By that I mean it is more easily changed than preventing people from shooting up their workplace, or stopping negligent parents from doing despicable things or a variety of other topics that usually reach the Pit.) ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/34 "2006-06-26T10:10:32Z")
[QUOTE=mhendo] “Storm in a D-cup”? [/QUOTE] Oh, so close…_Tempest_ in a D-cup. ---
**Author:** ![blinkingblinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/35 "2006-06-26T10:39:15Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] How about we call it what it was: The Super Bowl Halftime scandal. [/QUOTE] The reason I called it ‘Nipplegate’ in my thread was to differentiate it from the rest of the Super Bowl Halftime scandal which included a male streaker, offensive TV ads as well as Kid Rock. I am not actually a fan of the whole “-gate” naming. But that is what it is called. What else can I call it. Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t there a big gap between ‘Watergate’ and the next big scandal with “-gate” ? ---
**Author:** ![blinkingblinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/36 "2006-06-26T10:45:53Z")
I am not actually a fan of the whole “-gate” naming. But that is what it is called. What else can I call it? Teat-gate according to Jon Stewart ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/37 "2006-06-26T11:04:04Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] Oh, so close…_Tempest_ in a D-cup. [/QUOTE] I think that might be a matter of national differences. In Australia, where i’m from, most people say “storm in a teacup,” while in the US i’ve most frequently heard “tempest.” ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/38 "2006-06-26T15:18:57Z")
[QUOTE=blinkingblinking] Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t there a big gap between ‘Watergate’ and the next big scandal with “-gate” ? [/QUOTE] Not really, [Koreagate](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreagate) came in 1976. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/39 "2006-06-26T16:54:50Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] Oh, so close…_Tempest_ in a D-cup. [/QUOTE] Which is what former Doper **Drain Bead** uses as her LJ title. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2006, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098/40 "2006-06-26T17:33:01Z")
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait a minute… We have a person protesting the abuse and trivialization of the suffix “-gate” whose OWN name ends in “Doors”? I smell conspiracygate! Or conspiracydoors! Sailboat [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-get-past-this-gate-convention-every-time-some-scandal-occurs/362098.md?page=3)