Lexicon: Stroll

DEFINITION stroll v. To walk in a slow and relaxed manner

CONTEXT Senator John McCain strolled through Shorja–an open market in Baghdad–to prove that Americans have a warped view of the war-torn area. CNN correspondent Michael Ware challenged McCain’s analysis: “I don’t know what part of Neverland Senator McCain is talking about when he says we can go strolling in Baghdad.”

USAGE Critics on the left roasted McCain for the walk, saying it could be his Michael Dukakis moment. They also gleefully pointed out the security required for the photo-op amble: beyond the bulletproof vest, he was guarded by more than 100 soldiers in armored humvees and attack helicopters.