Main Entry: car·pet·bag·ger

Pronunciation: \-ˌba-gər\

Function: noun

Etymology: from their carrying all their belongings in carpetbags

Date: 1868

1 : a Northerner in the South after the American Civil War usually seeking private gain under the reconstruction governments
2 : outsider; especially : a nonresident or new resident who seeks private gain from an area often by meddling in its business or politics

— car·pet·bag·gery \-ˌba-g(ə-)rē\ noun