Teflon (nickname)

Teflon is a nickname given to persons, particularly in politics, to whom criticism does not seem to stick. The term comes from Teflon, the brand name by DuPont of a "non-stick" chemical used on cookware.

Uses

• Ronald Reagan, the President of the United States, was called by his detractors "the Teflon president." The nickname was coined by Patricia Schroeder, a Congresswoman, and reflected on how a plethora of scandals surrounding his presidency seemed to have no effect on his individual popularity with the public.^[1][2] Succeeding US presidents have also been given the nickname, notably Bill Clinton.^[3][4]
• "Teflon Don" was applied to mafia boss John Gotti, who managed to escape being charged or convicted of crimes for over a decade, despite being the very public leader of a New York crime family.^[5]
• Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was often referred to in the press as "Teflon Tony."^[6]
• Ralph Klein, long-time Premier of the Canadian province of Alberta, was referred to as a "Teflon" premier.^[7] Prime Minister Stephen Harper was also given the label when the Wright-Duffy affair broke out.^[8]
• Teflon Taoiseach became a label for Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern as scandal after scandal failed to have any lasting effect on him,^[9] until he was forced to resign in 2008.
• John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia, was called "Teflon Johnny". Other Australian public figures that have been called "teflon coated" include Premier of Queensland, Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen, and Prime Minister Paul Keating.
• Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, has been referred to as a "Teflon leader," although the 2008 Russian financial crisis had some effect on his image among the public.^[10]
• Fernando Alonso, a Spanish driver in Formula One racing and double World Champion, earned the nickname "Teflonso" following his exoneration from involvement in the Renault F1 Crashgate controversy.
• TV bloggers appropriated the nickname "Teflon Tim" for American Idol contestant Tim Urban, who appeared on the show's ninth season and repeatedly survived elimination votes despite receiving stinging criticism from the judges.^[11]
• In leaked US diplomatic cables it was revealed that the Chancellor of Germany was called "Angela Teflon Merkel" by the staff of the American embassy in Berlin because criticism bounced off her.^[12]
• French journalist Franz-Olivier Giesbert once compared President François Hollande to a "Teflon pan" following an interview given on TV programme Des paroles et des actes.^[13]
• Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key was labelled "Teflon John" and the "Teflon Man" by political pundits for his perceived ability to come out unscathed from political controversies.^[14]

References