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lauren @lauren.rotatingsandwiches.com · 04/09/2026

did you guys know john erlichman of watergate transcripts infamy popularized but did not coin the phrase "the big enchilada" barrypopik.com/blog/big_enc...

Big Enchilada, n., the person in charge, the most important person or thing. Coined by Nixon's Domestic Policy Advisor John Erlichman in March 1973 in reference to former Attorney General John Mitchell. The term follows in the tradition of big cheese, big fish, and bigwig. Erlichman claims he used enchilada because of his fondness for Mexican food.

GLAMMER YAMMER: Susan Hayward and husband Jess Barker wolfed potato pancakes unglamorously at Joe King's Rathskeller ... Who stated the expession, "the whole enchilada?" It'ss around now ... Marlene Dietrich's dtr. Maria has bloosomed into one of the purtiest gals around ... Clark Clifford's becoming a grampa via dtr. Jerri.

Newspapers.com
22 October 1951, San Francisco Examiner, "Earl Wilson" (syndicated entertainment columnist) pg. 22, col. 3

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Ian on the internet @ianishere.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

But "big enchilada" and "whole/full enchilada" are two distinct expressions with different meanings, perhaps he did coin it?

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