Definition

Proper noun 1. A nickname for the United States Department of State: This term refers to the U.S. government department responsible for foreign policy and international relations. The nickname originates from the location of its headquarters in a low-lying, formerly marshy area of Washington, D.C., near the Potomac River, which was prone to fog. 2. The specific area or neighborhood in Washington, D.C.: It can also refer to the geographical area in the Southwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., where the State Department building is located.

Usage Examples

• Referring to the State Department:
  • The announcement from Foggy Bottom indicated a shift in diplomatic strategy.
  • Reporters gathered outside Foggy Bottom to await the press briefing.
• Referring to the location:
  • The new museum is located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in journalism and political commentary as a metonym for the U.S. State Department and its officials, policies, or bureaucratic culture.
  • Decisions made in the halls of Foggy Bottom have global repercussions.
  • There seems to be disagreement between the White House and Foggy Bottom on this issue.

Variants and Related Words

• Foggy Bottom is typically used as a proper noun and is not commonly inflected. The related adjective foggy describes weather conditions with thick mist.

Synonyms

• The State Department: The official name.
• The Department of State: The formal title.

Notes on Meaning

• The term carries a connotation of the bureaucratic and sometimes opaque nature of foreign policy decision-making, playing on the word "foggy" to imply complexity or lack of clarity.
• It is a geographic nickname that has become a standard journalistic and diplomatic term.

Noun

1. United States Department of State, which is housed in a building in a low-lying area of Washington near the Potomac River