You’re Probably Pronouncing “Gerrymandering” Wrong (And It Matters)

Let’s settle something once and for all.

It’s not jerry-mandering.

It’s gary-mandering.

That’s right — a hard “G.”

Why? Because the word comes from Elbridge Gerry, a former Massachusetts governor (and later Vice President) whose name was pronounced with a hard “G.”

The term dates back to 1812, when Governor Gerry signed a redistricting bill that produced a district so oddly shaped it was compared to a salamander. The press mashed the two together — “Gerry” + “salamander” — and “gerrymander” was born. 

Want the quick origin story? Watch it here.

Here’s the twist: over time, people started softening the “G” (as in “jerry”), and the incorrect pronunciation stuck. But historically? It was always “Gary-mander.” 

And here’s a great New Hampshire connection most people don’t know:

Governor Ayotte’s Director of Policy and Finance, James Gerry, is a direct descendant of Elbridge Gerry and he’ll be the first to tell you the “G” is not optional -- a detail he was quick to point out.

So next time you’re talking policy, politics, or redistricting, you’ve got a choice:

Sound like everyone else…

or sound like you actually know what you’re talking about.

We know which one we prefer.