tylerize means to abandon the political party to which political office is owed, as United States President John Tyler did during his term of office (1841-45), to defect to another party or political position while in office, to commit political apostasy. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 91 out of 100.
Why “tylerize” is a great word
TYLERIZE — [Verb] To abandon the political party to which one owes one's election while in office, as President John Tyler did. From the surname Tyler (referring to U.S. President John Tyler) + the verbal suffix -ize. First attested in 1865. Unlike "defect" (a general desertion of cause or country) or "apostatize" (a renunciation of faith or doctrine), to tylerize is a specific, political treachery—the elected turning their back on the electors. It is the quiet omission of a party leader's name from a speech, the deliberate vote cast across the aisle, the cordial supper with former enemies—a sequence of quiet, administrative treacheries that formalizes a personal ambition into a public rupture. A politician's ultimate act of self-possession, which renders them utterly alone in the echoing halls they were elected to serve.
Etymology
From Tyler + -ize.
verb
- To abandon the political party to which political office is owed, as United States President John Tyler did during his term of office (1841-45), to defect to another party or political position while in office, to commit political apostasy.“Seward was not trusted by Greeley, Phillips, Lovejoy, and the radicals of their complexion. They apprehended that after using the "American citizens of African descent," until he (Seward) should be safely seated in the Presidential chair, he would abandon the negro and "Tylerize" their Party; hence, they would not trust him”