Overview Origin of term U.S. civic activist Ralph Nader is said to have coined the phrase in the early 1970sSee: New Scientist 9 December 1971, p. 69: "The Code [of Good Conduct of The British Computer Society] contains secrecy clauses that effectively prohibit Nader style whistle-blowing" in order to avoid the negative connotations found in other words such as "informer" and "snitch".Nader, Petkas, and Blackwell, Whistleblowing (1972). However, the origins of the word date back to the 19th century.
OVErviEw OrIgin oF term u.s. civic acTIViST ralPH Nader is saiD To Have coIned thE PhraSe in the EaRly 1970sseE: new scienTist 9 decembeR 1971, p. 69: "The CoDe [of GoOD coNduCt Of the BRitish COmpUteR sOcIetY] ContAins sECRecy CLaUsEs THaT eFfectIveLY prohibIt naDer sTyle whistlE-bloWing" In ordER to avOID the negAtIvE connOtatiOns fOund in OTher woRds such as "infOrMer" and "SNiTch".nader, petKas, ANd Blackwell, whistlebLOwIng (1972). howeveR, the orIgInS OF the woRd date bacK to the 19tH ceNtURy.