# Origin of "tinpot dictator"

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-tinpot-dictator/348070
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 12, 2006, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-tinpot-dictator/348070 "2006-03-12T20:14:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 5

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### Author: ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2006, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-tinpot-dictator/348070/5 "2006-03-12T20:53:15Z")

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> [@Can Handle the Truth](#):
>
> I believe it refers to a child playing at being a soldier by wearing a tin pot for a helmet. It emphasises the dictator’s inflated view of himself.

Whether this is true or not, I like the image it conjures the best. I think it captures the flavour of the term really well.

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