"Drain the swamp" is a reference to an ecosystem that reflects the Everglades and the Louisiana bayou. Is that a knowledgeable metaphor?

DC is undoubtedly the swamp that needs to be drained, both Republican and Democrat. I stand with Richard Pryor in the 1985 movie "Brewster's Millions". Vote none of the Above. If I had the choice I would vote for anyone but the two that the major parties have offered up. Given the choices my vote goes to Trump, he is what he is, a grating personality with some very offensive things flowing out of his mouth. With the actions of Russia, China and North Korea we need a strong, abrasive personality in the White House, not more of the same passive non-leadership of the present administration. I do in fact think that it is time for a woman to fill the shoes of the most powerful leader in the world, just not this one!!

I would really appreciate a lexicon of what we can no longer say because is hurts someone's feelings. I suspect that homo sapien discourse will be limited to clicks, clacks, and grunts. By the way it isn't a swamp anymore according to my more sensitive friends. Its a wet land with trees, or a drainage challenged forest. Seems that the indigenous animals feelings were hurt by the negative connotations. Sometimes a metaphor is just a metaphor, not a method to oppress, suppress, and marginalize; or were you just joking and now I owe you an apology? :)

You can tell the size of a man by the size of the thing that makes him mad. - Adlai Stevenson, (the use of the word "man" is solely meant for the historical accuracy of the quote and should not be construed as a micro-aggression against any protected class of citizen, or immigrant regardless of legal status).

My wife says "I have grand children and I don't like gators, DRAIN THE SWAMP!"

Isn't a peat bog, Mam, like a swamp where there is no oxygen and where human remains don't rot? I think that plays into the metaphor of swamp as dead, no oxygen for fish due to algae bloom. It kills fishes here in Canada. Just my opinion.

There are swamps in 15 states. Louisiana swamps used to be the home of pirates and criminals. Everglades used to hide bootleggers. Okefenokee Swamp covered up the dead during the Second Seminole Indian War. Great Dismal Swamp in Virginia protected runaway slaves. The Great Black Swamp in my home state of Indiana was drained after transport complications during the short Toledo War in the mid 1800's. Draining began around 1850 to prevent the spread of malaria and to enable the construction of a rail line.

Too funny Ma'am- guess it's been awhile since you marched thu a swamp.

Sorry, DC is only built on a tidal plain not a swamp.

The metaphor stands, Colonel. In my view, President Trump wishes only to drain the political toxicity from the swamp that has grown for years. I understand well what a swamp is as I live in Louisiana. Mucho gators and snappin' turtles intermeshed with cypress swamp trees. Beautiful!
Now back to non-political topics . . .

There’s 63 comments here and I didn’t read them all, but I believe this is the origin of the term.