When did you first hear the term “spin doctor” and what is its true meaning? The Oxford English Dictionary added the term in their 1993 draft addition, and defines it as:“a political press agent or publicist employed to promote a favourable interpretation of events to journalists.” But it was in common use much earlier. An editorial in The New York Times on Oct. 21, 1984 used it in reference to the Reagan-Mondale televised debates. In 1986, William Safire’s “On Language” column for the New York Times Magazine says this:
"It is based on the slang meaning of the verb to spin, which in the 1950’s meant ”to deceive,” perhaps influenced by ”to spin a yarn.” More recently, as a noun, spin has come to mean ”twist,” or "interpretation”; when a pitcher puts a spin on a baseball, he causes it to curve, and when we put our own spin on a story, we angle it to suit our predilections or interests." - August 31, 1986 column entitled “Calling Dr. Spin.”More: Longreads Blog
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