'Crook': When Nixon Said He Wasn't One, There Was Still a Twist to Come.

In this article, linguist and lexicographer Ben Zimmer explores the origins and history of the word "crook" in light of President Richard Nixon's famous statement, "I am not a crook." Zimmer explains that the word "crook" can be traced back to an Old Norse term meaning a hook or a barb, and it has evolved to encompass various meanings over time. The term "crook" was later used in 19th-century American slang to refer to a thief or dishonest person, and it eventually became associated with corrupt politicians in the early 20th century. Nixon's statement added another layer to the word's semantic trajectory, making it synonymous with the Watergate scandal. [Extracted from the article]