bork

Bork is a surname of Germanic origin. It is borne by various individuals, including Robert Bork (1927–2012), an American judge and solicitor general who was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1987. The name is encountered in other contexts as a proper noun or as part of phrases in English.

In American political discourse, the verb to bork means to impede or obstruct someone’s appointment through extensive criticism, hearings, or opposition, especially in the context of judicial nominations. The term originated with the controversial nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court in 1987, after which critics described similar nomination battles as "borking." The noun form "bork" and the gerund "borking" are used in journalism and commentary to refer to such tactics, regardless of the nominee’s party affiliation.

In popular culture, "bork" is also used as a humorous approximation of a dog's bark. The phrase "Bork, bork, bork!" became associated with The Swedish Chef character on The Muppet Show, contributing to the term’s recognition in internet memes and playful language. The word is thus encountered both as a surname and as a cultural meme, with meaning tied to context.