Logrolling is a North American word for trading favors, especially votes between legislators. In 1823 the Daily National Intelligencer said the image was “borrowed from the customs of the backwoodsmen,” who helped each other roll logs. It put the logic in one line: “Do you help me roll my log, and I’ll help you roll yours.”
In 1835 Congressman Davy Crockett wrote: “my people don’t like me to log-roll in their business, and vote away pre-emption rights to fellows in other states …” Crockett did not invent the word. Political uses date back to at least 1820.