Helengrad

/ ˈhɛlənˌɡræd /

noun

1. a satirical name for Wellington as the seat of Helen Clark's socialist government from 1999 to 2008

Word History and Origins

Origin of Helengrad¹

C20: from Helen + -grad common suffix in Russian place names; likening the policies of Clark's government to the communism of the former Soviet Union

Example Sentences

Although less "p.c." than she appeared a year ago, Prime Minister Clark can still sound like a denizen of Helengrad.

From Time Magazine Archive