pollster

UK: ˈpəʊlstə | US: ˈpoʊlstər

Definition

  1. n. a person who conducts or analyzes opinion polls

Structure
poll <survey>ster <agent suffix>
Etymology

pollster = poll<survey> + ster<agent suffix>

  • poll: From Middle English polle (head, top), later extended to mean "counting of heads/votes" in elections or surveys.
  • ster: An agentive suffix of Old English origin (like in songster, spinster), denoting a person associated with an activity.

Etymology Origin:
The word pollster emerged in the early 20th century (first recorded in 1939) as a blend of poll (referring to opinion surveys) and the suffix -ster. The term reflects the professionalization of public opinion research, where -ster humorously or neutrally labels someone engaged in polling, akin to huckster or trickster.

Examples

  1. The pollster predicted the election outcome with surprising accuracy.

  2. She works as a pollster for a major news network.

  3. Critics questioned the pollster's methodology.

  4. The campaign hired a pollster to gauge voter sentiment.

  5. Pollsters must ensure their samples represent diverse demographics.