Political patronage is a system of rewarding political supporters with jobs, contracts, or other benefits. The term PAP (3 letters) refers to the appointment of political allies to positions of power. PORK (4 letters) is an appropriation of government funds for a specific purpose, often to benefit a particular constituency. PORKBARREL (10 letters) is a metaphor for the appropriation of government funds for projects that are intended to benefit a particular constituency.