When President Biden first became "President-Elect Joe Biden," there was a great deal of excitement, but it wasn't all directed at the future president.
Quite the contrary! Though our focus is typically on the upcoming president and all they have planned for the country, the focus and celebration were largely directed to then-Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, who was the first female Vice President in history, not to mention the first Vice President of Color in history.
A phrase quickly circulated around social media, "Make sure to wear shoes, ladies! There's glass everywhere," and the sentiment has most certainly stuck.
Not only are American citizens excited and inspired by this development, it's clear the folks in the White House are, too.
But no one appears to be more excited and supportive than Kamala Harris's husband, Second Gentleman to the Vice President of the United States, Doug Emhoff.
So when Merriam-Webster formally listed "Second Gentleman" as a word in the dictionary, Emhoff was among the first to celebrate.
Though Emhoff isn't the very first Second Gentleman, he was the first to appear at such high stature as Second Gentleman to the Vice President.
The Merriam-Webster team explained:
"The term is not new, but it's finally common enough to have met our entry criteria. [Many] states have and have had second gentlemen in the past."
Seeing the term in print made Kamala Harris's achievement that much more tangible for Emhoff. But when the term became official, Emhoff was quick to assure the public that he may have been the first to fill the role, but he most certainly would not be the last.
In celebration, Emhoff tweeted:
"Well, now it's official. Merriam-Webster just added 'Second Gentleman' to the dictionary."
"I might be first, but I won't be the last."
Well, now it's official. @MerriamWebster just added "Second Gentleman" to the dictionary.
I might be the first, but I won't be the last. https://t.co/1PFsrYslgM
— Douglas Emhoff (@SecondGentleman) January 28, 2021
Clearly, Doug Emhoff expects to see a lot more "broken glass" in our future, surely with more women, LGBTQ, and people of color being elected into higher office.
Many Twitter users shared in Emhoff's celebration, and his sentiment.
A trailblazing #SGOTUS
Not sure how you pronounce that however 🤔...
Quite sure your inspired Law career will come in handy
Regards to a great couple pic.twitter.com/ByL7XfAO2O
— Lynn Cathryn Walters (@LynnCatWalters) January 28, 2021
I think you are the definition of what a Second Gentleman should aspire to. Although I've never met any of the Presidential party we now have quality people making our country proud. Thank you and your wife!
— Tammie Lavender (@lavender_tammie) January 28, 2021
This tweet matters so much to me. Thank you for being a wonderful inspiration for boys. Boys need to have people like you to look up to.
Thank you for normalizing being supportive and loving for a wife chasing her dreams. You're an example to girls on what to expect in a spouse.
— Eya Tathdias (@EyaTathdias) January 28, 2021
I love it!
VP: I am the first woman, first Black, first Asian VP
Second G: Ya. But Merriam-Webster had to update their dictionary to include me.
— Melissa Alexander, Ed.D. (@Melalexander1) January 28, 2021
MerriamWebster had a feeling that you'd be an awesome first Second Gentleman and you're already proving them right. Next you'll be a first First Gentleman and then they'll have to write you in again.
— M Sultan (@MasudaSultan) January 29, 2021
We inevitably have a long way to go, but seeing our first female Vice President is undoubtedly progress. And seeing "Second Gentleman" officially in the dictionary? That's just one more indicator that we didn't dream the good news up.
