- demagogue
- 1640s, from Gk. demagogos "leader of the people," from demos "people" (see demotic) + agogos "leader," from agein "to lead" (see act). A term of disparagement ever since it was first used in Athens, 5c. B.C.E. As a verb, attested by 1980s, Amer.Eng. Related: Demagogic (1831); demagoguery (1866); demagogy (1650s).