The word "birther" is a term used to refer to someone who questions the citizenship and eligibility of a political figure. The spelling of "birther" is pronounced as /ˈbɜrθər/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "th" sound is represented by the phonetic symbol /θ/ which signifies that the sound is produced by placing the tongue between the upper and lower teeth, while the "er" sound at the end is represented by the symbol /ər/. The spelling of this word is straightforward and easy to remember.
Birther is a term used to describe a person who promotes or believes in the conspiracy theory that questions the legitimacy of an individual's birthplace or citizenship, especially concerning political figures. Primarily used in the context of American politics, the term gained popularity during the presidency of Barack Obama.
The birther conspiracy theory alleges that Obama, the 44th President of the United States, was not born in the United States and therefore disqualified from holding the presidency. Advocates of this theory claim that Obama's birth certificate is fraudulent, asserting that he was born in Kenya instead of Hawaii, where he maintains his birthplace. This theory was widely debunked by evidence, including Obama's long-form birth certificate released by the Hawaiian government.
Birthers, therefore, refer to individuals who promote or adhere to this theory, questioning the authenticity of Obama's citizenship. The term has subsequently been extended to refer to advocates of similar conspiracy theories regarding the birthplace or citizenship of other politicians.
While this definition predominantly highlights its association with Obama's presidency, birther is now commonly used to label individuals who propagate baseless conspiracy theories questioning the birthplace or citizenship of any political figure. The term is often used pejoratively to suggest a lack of credibility or an adherence to unfounded beliefs.
The term "birther" originated in the United States in the early 2000s. It gained prominence during the 2008 presidential campaign and subsequent years, particularly in reference to Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. The term is derived from the word "birth", referring to the place and circumstances of a person's birth. In the context of politics, a "birther" is someone who questions or denies the legitimacy of a political figure's birthplace and citizenship.