It's quite amusing to see Sarah Palin and John McCain use the term "maverick" and have no sense of the origin of the word.
The word "maverick" originally was a last name. One particular Maverick was Samuel Maverick, who was a cattle farmer during the 1800's in Texas. Back then, all cattle farmer branded their insignia on their cattle to prove that they were their own property. Mr. Maverick on the other hand, chose not to brand his cattle, but to pronounce that all cattle with no brand was his cattle. For example, if another cattle farmer found a lone cow with no brand, he would say "it's a Maverick."
Over the years, the word has gained another term, for a nonconformist or dissenter.
What is even more amusing about the maverick situation is that the grandchildren of Samuel Maverick are speaking out against the use of the word. One of Samuel Maverick's relatives, Terrellita Maverick, goes so far as to say that John McCain and Sarah Palin are NOT mavericks, in uppercase or lowercase.
From an article by John Schwartz quoting Ms. Maverick:
"It's just incredible - the nerve! - to suggest that he's not part of that Republican herd. Every time we hear it, all my children and I and all my family shrink a little and say, ‘Oh, my God, he said it again.' "
"He's a Republican," she said. "He's branded."
This is insanely interesting. It makes me laugh. It really does.
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
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Ooh, ooh, pick me, pick me!!!
Ms Maverick is clever, but just because her ancestor originated the word doesn't lend more weight her opinion on its meaning or make her any more knowledgeable about political candidates.
that ancestry doesn't amount to anything in a political sense, I simply find the Republican Party's obsession over a word facinating, as well as the etymology of the term "maverick."