'Devil's triangle': Wikipedia article becomes centre of dispute about Brett Kavanaugh's strange phrase
An edit was made to the page from inside Congress
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Wikipedia article has become the centre of a dispute over the meaning of the phrase "devil's triangle" after Brett Kavanaugh's hearings at the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The aspirant Supreme Court judge was called in front of US lawmakers to answer questions about his appointment. He followed Christine Blasey Ford, a university professor who is one of a number of women who have accused Mr Kavanaugh of sexual assault.
During that questioning, Rhose Island senator Sheldon Whitehouse asked a series of questions about the phrase "Devil's Triangle", because the term is mentioned in the judge's senior high school yearbook. Lawmakers have delved into that yearbook to attempt to ascertain the character of the young Mr Kavanaugh, amid accusations about his conduct.
When asked what the strange phrase referred to, he said that it was a "drinking game" played with "three glasses in a triangle."
The definition does not appear to be very widespread, and has little reference on the internet. During the hearing, Mr Whitehouse asked Mr Kavanaugh to expand on the phrase and he claimed that it was about bouncing quarters off cups of beer.
As people searched to find out whether that was true, the phrase's Wikipedia article was edited from an IP address associated with the US Congress buildings.
"A popular drinking game enjoyed by friends of judge Brett Kavanaugh," it read as part of a series of definitions.
That was later removed. Another edit – reading "do not add the hoax about a 'drinking game,' especially as related by Brett Kavanaugh" – was also removed almost as soon as it was posted.
For now, that Wikipedia page only contains references to a wide range of other things known as Devil's Triangle, including the Bermuda Triangle and a range of different books, TV shows and music named after the phrase. It also includes a reference to the sexual slang.
It was that lewd meaning that lawyer Michael Avenatti has suggested the phrase was referring to when written in Mr Kavanaugh's yearbook.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments