Spoils System
Preserved but no longer current.
The practice in the United States by which the victorious party in an election rewards its supporters by appointments to public office. Adopted and approved by Andrew Jackson at his election as President in 1829. "To the victors belong the spoils.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Spoils System” mean?
The practice in the United States by which the victorious party in an election rewards its supporters by appointments to public office. Adopted and approved by Andrew Jackson at his election as President in 1829. "To the victors belong the spoils.
Is “Spoils System” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.