Close the gates already

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

It's just the same process of back formation that led to the -holic suffix as is chocoholic, etc.  It's perfectly normal, even if it is irritating.  Basically, as a society, we've gotten to the point where the English language needs an one syllable affix instead of a six syllable phrase to indicate a "political scandal"  and -gate has been chosen.  Live with it.  The English language is still a living language and it doesn't always grow in ways that are logical or euphonious.