- coatholder
A reference to the Biblical story of the stoning of Stephen in the Acts of the Apostles, where the Apostle Paul held the coats of those who threw the stones. It's an analogy to those politicians who stand by and let others create policies or laws that limit democracy, or infringe on the rights of the people, or are against the constitution of the country. A coat holder is one who lets superiors govern undemocratically, without speaking out, thereby giving their tacit approval, against the will of the people. [1]