Merriam-Webster adds ‘Second Gentleman’ to the dictionary

Merriam-Webster added an entry for “Second Gentleman” this month after Vice President Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, became the first male spouse of a president or vice president.

The dictionary noted that several states have had “second gentlemen” married to their respective governors, but “it’s finally common enough to have met our entry criteria.” 

“In concert with a new family’s arrival at Number One Observatory Circle, on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory, the term Second Gentleman has finally met our criteria for dictionary entry. Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband, Douglas Craig Emhoff, is the first Second Gentleman the United States has ever had,” Merriam-Webster said in a statement announcing its update of 520 new words in January.

Emhoff lauded the move on Twitter, saying that “I might be the first, but I won’t be the last.”

Well, now it’s official. @MerriamWebster just added “Second Gentleman” to the dictionary.

I might be the first, but I won’t be the last. https://t.co/1PFsrYslgM

— Douglas Emhoff (@SecondGentleman) January 28, 2021

Emhoff is also the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president.

The attorney, who is serving as a Georgetown Law faculty member, pledged last week that he will build on the “legacy of progress” from the second ladies who came before him. 

“I’ll always remember generations of women have served in this role before me—often without much accolade or acknowledgment,” he tweeted.

I am honored to be the first male spouse of an American President or Vice President. But I’ll always remember generations of women have served in this role before me—often without much accolade or acknowledgment. It’s their legacy of progress I will build on as Second Gentleman.

— Douglas Emhoff (@SecondGentleman) January 21, 2021