The article aims to elucidate the meaning of the word “Argolla”, used by conservative as well as liberal opponents to criticize the nepotism of the progressive governments directed by the Caamaño-Flores-Stagg clan between 1883 and 1895. First of all, the term “Argolla” is exactly defined, before establishing its genealogy and spreading history through the analysis of the enlightened satirical press of that period. The detailed study of the “Argolla” allows us to show the distinctiveness of this form of nepotism compared to others in the history of Ecuador