Think in 1850's mindset and PT Barnum's advertising terms- the average vocabulary was very limited and words that were used then would get odd looks if they were used now. 'Grand Old Party' sounds perfectly cromulent if you don't use a modern mind to think about it. What was the average education level at the time, 6th grade?
Here are some PT Barnum sayings and they do make sense.
Discover P. T. Barnum famous and rare quotes. Share P. T. Barnum quotations about business, children and advertising. "No man ever went broke overestimating the ignorance..."
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