Jargon of The Rush Limbaugh Show

Rush Limbaugh uses his own on-air jargon on his radio show, The Rush Limbaugh Show, some of which he invented and some of which he merely popularized. Most are distorted versions of names. All terms are from Limbaughs's radio program unless otherwise cited.

Contents 1 # 2 A 3 B 4 C 5 D 6 E 7 F 8 G 9 H 10 I–K 11 L 12 M 13 N–O 14 P–R 15 S 16 T 17 U-Z 18 Dramatic Radio Props 19 Nicknames Limbaugh uses for himself 20 References

#

35 Undeniable Truths of Life

Listed in Limbaugh's books and the "24/7" section of his website, these are what he believes to be irrefutable facts of everyday life. In 1993, he changed these slightly because the original list referred to the former Soviet Union which by then had split up into independent republics.[2]

A

Addadictomy

Slang for a sex change operation. (A woman becoming a man) [3]

Adult Beverage

What Limbaugh calls an alcoholic beverage. From the book See I Told You So.

Algore

Former Vice President Al Gore. This nickname was originally used in a parody of Count Dracula involving "Count Taxula" (voiced so as to sound like Bill Clinton) and his loyal servant "Algore" (as in Igor).[4] The nickname "Algore" was used extensively on the show during the U.S. presidential campaign in 2000. [5]

Ali Limbali

Limbaugh portrayal of an imaginary Middle Eastern version of himself broadcasting from a "secret location somewhere in Northern Afghanistan." Rush's standard "Open Line Friday" was parodied with Ali's "Find a Phone Friday." [6]

Assume Room Temperature

Used by Limbaugh to refer to someone who has died, usually for America's top enemies (such as a terrorist leader) or a dictator has died. From the book The Way Things Ought to Be.

Atlanta Urinal-Constipation

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a major Atlanta newspaper. [7]

B

Bank of Amigo

Bank of America. Referring to Bank of America offering credit cards to persons without social security numbers, criticized because this practice will benefit illegal aliens, specifically Hispanics. Recently, the Bank of America has suffered a serious loss. [8]

Barry Obama

Barack Obama, who went by the name 'Barry' in the 1980s [9]

Barack O'McNabb

Another nickname for Barack Obama, coined August 17, 2007.

Barack 'The Magic' Obama

Another nickname for Barack Obama, who was referred to by Los Angeles Times columnist David Ehrenstein as "the 'Magic Negro.'" [10]

Ben Affliction

Ben Affleck [11]

Baba Wawa

Barbara Walters [12]

Bela Pelosi

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).^[1]

Benedict Arnold

Harry Reid [13]

Breck Girl

John Edwards. The allusion is to Breck Shampoo as well as Limbaughs's belief that Edwards is too obsessed with his appearance.[14]

C

Chopadickoffomy

(chop-a-dick-off-of-me) Limbaugh's parody of a male-to-female sex-change operation.[15]

Clinton News Network (CNN)

What Limbaugh referred to CNN as during the Clinton Administration, as Rush believed CNN had a pro-Clinton bias. From Limbaugh's second book, See, I Told You So.

Club Gitmo

The U.S. prison for terrorists in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and an oblique reference to Club Med. An announcer in a mock advertisement bills it as "your tropical retreat from the stress of jihad." The living conditions there are better than those described in the media, deserved by terrorists, or enjoyed by many servicemen in Iraq. He has started selling a line of "Club Gitmo" clothing through his website, sporting such slogans as "My Mullah went to Club G'itmo and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt" and "What Happens in G'itmo Stays in G'itmo." [16]

Communist News Network (CNN)

Limbaugh reference to CNN, which in his view has a pro-socialist way of reporting the news. From Limbaugh's second book, See, I Told You So.

Cuber

"Cuba," as pronounced by Senator Ted Kennedy [17]

D

Daficit

Limbaugh would often parody the countrified pronunciation of deficit by former Senator Jim Sasser (D-TN) during Sasser's tenure as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.[18]

"Dadelut dadelut dadelut!!!"

The sound Limbaugh makes when announcing what he considers to be very important breaking news or update. Often used in Limbaugh's radio show and alternately known as trumpet fanfare.[19]

Dingy Harry

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)[20]. [21]The nickname is a mocking reference to Clint Eastwood's character "Dirty" Harry Callahan.

Disgronifier

The "EIB Disgronifier" allows users to reformat EIB web pages.[22]

Dittoheads

Faithful listeners to The Rush Limbaugh Show.[23] As Limbaugh often explains in his books and radio show, these are not necessarily those who agree with his views. Rather, he believes they are people who love the show and what he's doing, and hope he never stops doing it. The term came into use because callers would frequently begin by giving praise and thanks to Limbaugh. Knowing that the caller’s and listener’s time is valuable, one caller simply said roughly "ditto to what those guys said (how much they enjoyed the show)." Thereafter, callers were encouraged to simply say, “Dittos,” and then get right to their point. Thus, long-time listeners would begin their calls with “Dittos, Rush,” leading to the term “dittoheads.” The term is also used pejoratively by critics of Limbaugh, who claim that his listeners simply copy his political views without any independent thought. Since then, the phrase has been upgraded to "mega dittos."

Drive-by media

The mainstream media. Limbaugh alleges that the mainstream media attempt to ambush their enemies in a manner analogous to that of gang members i.e. spray a bunch of bullets and drive off. He also uses the term to liken the media to causing the news instead of just reporting it, e.g., claiming a Koran was found in a toilet which led to riots in the Middle East or by creating a rigged poll to report that a politician is polling poorly, then running stories about why people think the politician polls poorly.^[2] The term also points out the lack of care the media takes to get the whole story or both sides of the story. Similar reference to political misuse of the media being an "in-house drive-by" can be found in the lyrics of the 1992 Rage Against the Machine song, "Bullet in the Head."

Dung Heap Harkin

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). Limbaugh gave him the name during the Clinton impeachment after Harkin called the charges against President Clinton a "dung heap."^[3] Recently Harkin has attacked Limbaugh on the floor of the Senate over Limbaugh's presence on AFRTS (Armed Forces Radio). (See Armed Forces Radio controversy.)

E

EIB Southern Command 

Limbaugh's studio/broadcast complex in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Rush Limbaugh Show has broadcast from this location since 1997. ^[4] This is an allusion to the U.S. Southern Command, which is headquartered in Miami.

Eco-Nazi 

- an extreme version of a "Environmentalist wacko". These are people who commit terrorism in the name of environmentalism, such as ELF, Earth First!, ALF, and/or cause a nuisance.

Environmentalist wacko 

A militant environmental activist or group, usually a Democrat, but sometimes a Green Party member. [24] As further explained in his books (the chapter "Decent Friends of the Earth" in particular), these more militant groups are not to be confused with groups such as the Audubon Society which Limbaugh gives as an example of more mainstream environmentalism.

Epidemic Awards

The Oscar Awards [25]

Err America

Air America

F

Feminazi

According to Limbaugh's books, this term is not referring to feminists in general. Feminazis are those that are so devoted to feminist ideology (and the pro-choice cause in particular) that they are as repressive and hostile to personal freedom as members of the Nazi party were. Limbaugh believes that fewer than 25 are true Feminazis by this definition.

Frenchurian Candidate, the

2004 Democratic presidential candidate Senator John Kerry (D-MA). See also "Jean François Kerry." The nickname, coined by a caller on August 2,2004, parodies the title of the 1962 film The Manchurian Candidate; a remake was released during the 2004 election campaign.[26]

Forehead, The

What Limbaugh calls CNN contributor and democratic strategist Paul Begala.[27]

G

George Lakoff (Rhymes With)

A reference to Professor George Lakoff, a Professor of Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley, and political commentator [28]. In reality, however, Lakoff pronounces his name "Lake-off".

Gorbasm

Used to refer to fans of Mikhail Gorbachev who believe Gorbachev alone brought freedom to the former Soviet Union. Limbaugh always plays the "Darth Vader" theme, The Imperial March, during a report about Gorbachev in reference to Ronald Reagan who referred to the USSR as the "Evil Empire". Limbaugh devotes a whole chapter to this subject in his first book, The Way Things Ought to Be.

Gore-basm (or Gore-gasm)

Suggested by a caller during the second hour of the July 12, 2007 show, to recycle Gorbasm, referring to the excitement one has over hearing or seeing Al Gore as part of a global warming item. In response, Limbaugh will consider adopting it [29]. Additionally, a July 10, 2007 caller plainted that a date was ruined by a Gore-gasm she was having [30].

Golly Candidate, The

John Edwards. This term was coined when Edwards worked for a hedge fund, that supplied sub-prime loans. Edwards claims to not know that they hurt the poor, and took the job to learn about the poor. See also Breck Girl [31]

The Greatest Football Team in the History of Civilization

The 1975-1980 line-up of the Pittsburgh Steelers according to "Rush's First 35 Undeniable Truths of Life"[32]. Limbaugh became a lifelong fan of the Steelers while he lived and worked in Pittsburgh in the 1970s.

H

Halfrican American

Term used to describe mixed-race African-Americans such as Barack Obama and Halle Berry.^[5]

I–K

Iraqnophobia

Coined by a caller on the April 20, 2007 broadcast, this term refers to purported fear and loathing of victory in Iraq by the American left. The caller, a U.S. solider about to be deployed to Iraq, was inspired to coin the term by the comments by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) that "The War in Iraq is lost."[33]

James Baker's Fruit Salad

The Iraq Study Group Report. This refers to Group Co-Chairman James Baker's appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee in which he said that he didn't want the report to be picked over by the United States Senate or President George W. Bush "like a fruit salad."^[6]

K.O.O.K.S.

"Keepers Of Odd Knowledge Society." Limbaugh's moniker for conspiracy theorists. ^[7]

Jean-François Kerry

2004 Democratic US presidential candidate Senator John Kerry. Limbaugh uses the French analog of his first and middle name to mock Kerry's alleged elitist views and ancestral ties to French royalty.^[8]

L

L. Ron Gore

Refers to Al Gore. This is in reference to L. Ron Hubbard the founder of Scientology, and Limbaugh's belief that Al Gore's brand of environmentalism concerning global warming has become a religion. (Airdate 5-2-07)

Larry King Alive

Larry King Live [34]

Limbaugh Doctrine

The thesis that only decisive victory, not diplomacy or humanitarian aid, can bring peace; used most often in the context of the ongoing Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.^[9][10]

Limbaughlogically

to denote the number of years one has listened to the program. Coined by caller Leah Hayes from South Carolina to denote the number of years that she had been “born” into the family of Limbaugh listeners. She called on January 12, 2007 to wish Limbaugh a Happy Birthday and claimed to be his six year old “daughter.” Limbaugh laughed and then asked for an explanation to which she explained that biologically she was 37, but Limbaughlogically she was “six years old.”

Lindsey Graham-nesty

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) (formerly called "Vice President Graham"), referencing Graham's support for the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 (aka the "Amnesty Bill") [35].

Long-haired, dope-smoking, maggot-infested, good time rock 'n roll plastic banana FM-types

Laundry list of stereotypes Limbaugh uses to refer to liberals who don't take care of their appearance and listen to FM radio, typically on college campuses.^[11]

Loser, the

Michael Dukakis, unsuccessful candidate for President in 1988.^[12]

M

Mary "Cute Little Baby Fat" Landrieu

Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA). Limbaugh noted on the air that he thought she was cute, that her facial features still had baby fat. The support staff has not let him live it down.[36]

Meet the Depressed

Meet the Press

Mind-Numbed Robot

Tongue-in-cheek self-reference by callers mocking critics of the show that listeners are unthinking drones. Considered a distinction of honor by listeners.[37]

Mrs. Bill Clinton

Limbaugh says that he uses this nickname for Hillary Rodham Clinton because it is the nickname she would find most offensive. On March 5, 2007, he said he will exclusively refer to her by this name to emphasize her husband's role in her presidential campaign.[30]

My Adopted Hometown

Sacramento, California [38]

N–O

NAALCP (National Association for the Advancement of Liberal Colored People)

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Limbaugh says that "liberal" refers to the NAACP's almost exclusive support for politically liberal African Americans, while denigrating African Americans who are politically conservative, such as Condoleezza Rice and Clarence Thomas.[39]

NAGs (National Association of Gals)

National Organization for Women (NOW). Limbaugh also plays The Forester Sisters' song "Men" during updates involving NOW and other feminist groups.[40]

Ned Lament

Nickname (coined on 8/15/2006) for Connecticut Democratic Senate primary election winner Ned Lamont. Limbaugh believes the Democrats will soon lament supporting him for his anti-war policy because to support him, they will have to denounce any and ALL actions that promote national security.[41]

New Fallujah

Auburn Hills, Michigan, home of the Detroit Pistons. Limbaugh gave the city this nickname after the 2004 Pacers-Pistons Brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills.[42] He recently (2006) indicated on air that out of respect for Detroit area listeners (and the term's lack of context due to the story's age) he will no longer use the term.

Nikita Dean

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean. Limbaugh assigned this nickname to Dean in the 2004 election cycle as a reference to Nikita Khrushchev. Limbaugh said Dean had positioned himself so far to the political left that Vladimir Putin was to his right.[43]

Ninth Circus Court of Appeals

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, noted for controversial decisions which have lead it to be the circuit court most often reversed by the Supreme Court.[44]

Nostrilitis, Nostrildamus

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA)[45]

"Osama" Obama

Senator Barack Obama (D-IL). Limbaugh uses this alternate name for Obama as a reference to Senator Ted Kennedy's (D-MA) mis-speak during a luncheon at the National Press Club (Jan 11, 2005). Kennedy, making mention of Obama's large win during the 2004 elections, stumbled over Obama's first name, stating "Osama bin Laden, Osama Obama, Obamamam."[46] Limbaugh has been incorrectly cited as the originator of this 'nickname' by other news agencies. Most notably PMSNBC and CNN.^[13]

P–R

The Punk

Terry McAuliffe, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.[47].

Queen Bee Nancy (QBN)

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.[48]. Limbaugh coined this nickname after reading an article about the "queen bee syndrome" among working women and opined that Pelosi's attitude toward her fellow congresswomen (such as fellow California Democrat Jane Harman) fit the description.[49]

Racist, Sexist, Bigot, Homophobe

Laundry list of insults believed by Limbaugh to be a biased misconception of most conservatives. Usually used in a sentence as, "As you know, clichés exist about conservatives: racist, sexist, bigot, homophobe. Now, those are all false." [50]

Rio Linda

When "dumbing down" a concept, Limbaugh will begin it by saying "for those of you in Rio Linda..." (Meaning Rio Linda, California) Sometimes (especially after the 2000 Presidential election aftermath) he'll also add West Palm Beach, Florida, and say, "For those of you in Rio Linda and West Palm Beach..." or simply "Rio West Palm" for short. On 2007-04-20, he described it as a town in the vicinity of Sacramento where he found front yards with two cars jacked up on concrete blocks and washing machines on the front porch.[51]

Ronaldus Magnus

Ronald Reagan, who Limbaugh believes is the greatest president of the 20th century according to his books. "Ronaldus Magnus" is Latin for "Ronald the Great".

S

Senator Dick Turban

Senator Richard Durbin, (D-IL). Limbaugh began using this moniker after Durbin made controversial remarks on the Senate floor which according to Durbin's critics amounted to a comparison of the alleged abuse of detainees at Guantanamo Bay by U.S. military personnel, with the war crimes of Pol Pot and Hitler. Limbaugh opined that liberal Democrats in Congress seemed to favor Islamic terrorists over the United States Military fighting them in Iraq and Afghanistan.[52]

Senator Helmet Head

Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND)[53]

"Sheets" Byrd

Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), former cross-burning Klansman, who Rush refers to as "Sheets" because Byrd is a former "Kleagle" (Ku Klux Klan recruiter).[54]

Stack of Stuff

The pile of magazine and news clippings, faxes, and printed e-mail messages accumulated during show prep, background material generally related to the show's daily agenda. Also, a number of relevant web links offered to subscribers of his Web site, culled from a variety of current on-line news organizations, highlighting various issues of the day.[55]

St. Louis Descratch

St. Louis Post-Dispatch [56]

Stuck on Stupid

A phrase that General Russel L. Honoré (commander of forces in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina) said to a reporter who repeated (and rephrased) a question asked previously by a different reporter. [57]

T

Testicle lockbox

An (imaginary) device to hold a man's privates. Limbaugh invokes this device to explain how Hillary Clinton gets very few hostile interviews: When Hillary Clinton is interviewed by the male hosts of talk shows, she supposedly puts their manhood in a lockbox before the program and, if they behave and don't ask her hard questions, they may get their manhood back when the interview is over. [58]

Top ten female names

Lauren (or Laura from October 5, 2007), Martha, Kristin, Nancy, Jennifer (or Jenny from September 25, 2007), Barbara, Amy, Kim (June 15, 2007[59]), Kathy, Tracy (August 3, 2007), Leslie (August 16, 2007), Cheryl (August 21, 2007), Elizabeth (September 5, 2007, but not Liz or Beth), Susan (September 24, 2007,) Mellonie (October 2, 2007) Magen (November 5, 2007), Tina (Novemver 13, 2007), Ellan (Novemver 19, 2007), Sarah (December 11, 2007) and Alice (December 13, 2007). Thus far, 20 names.

U-Z

White trash cake

Yellow cake with white frosting. This is also Limbaugh's favorite cake (as he revealed on the air on his 56th birthday).[60]

Worst President in All of Our Lifetimes and Beyond, The

Former President Jimmy Carter^[14]

Dramatic Radio Props

• Golden EIB Microphone
• Prestigious Attila the Hun Chair
• Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies

These are often combined to form a phrase Limbaugh frequently uses to introduce himself: "Firmly ensconced behind the Golden EIB Microphone in the prestigious Attila the Hun Chair at the Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies."

Nicknames Limbaugh uses for himself

Throughout the years on The Rush Limbaugh Show, Limbaugh has established several nicknames with which he describes himself on the air.

• America's Anchorman
• America's Truth-Detector
• A Real Man, A Living Legend, A Way of Life
• A Weapon of Mass Instruction
• Doctor of Democracy
• El Rushbo ("little Spanish lingo, there" in Rush's own words)
• Chief of the Patriotism Police

This refers to the criticism by Molly Ivins of him and others in the new media. [61]

• The Mr. Big of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy[62]
• The most dangerous man in America

On March 3, 1991, Jon Kleinman wrote a letter to the editor of the Los Angeles Times Magazine stating "Radio is powerful. Limbaugh's views go unchecked. It is my view that he's one of the most dangerous men in America." [63]

• Talent, on loan, from God

Limbaugh states in his books that his talent for conservative political commentary, as well as everyone's special talents come from God, and they are "on loan" since we only get to use these talents while we are still alive.

• The man who is running America (you know it and I know it)

Limbaugh uses this phrase in mockery of a comment made by Senator Trent Lott In June of 2007. Senator Lott claimed that "Talk radio is running the country" Limbaugh has long claimed that "he is talk radio"[64] "You know it and I know it" started after a particularly "spirited" caller used the phrase repeatedly during his call.

• The Mandarin of Talk Radio

Reporter Major Garrett called Limbaugh the "mandarin of conservative talk radio" during a Fox News Channel report on talk radio's influence on the immigration debate on May 30, 2007. Limbaugh adopted the nickname on the air and in radio promos the next day.[65]

• Über-sexual

Limbaugh used this description of himself after reading a press release [66] that called men who "embrace the positive aspects of their masculinity or ‘M-ness’ (e.g., confidence, leadership, passion, compassion) without giving in to the stereotypes that give guys a bad name (e.g., disrespect toward women, emotional emptiness, complete ignorance of anything cultural outside of sports, beer, burgers, and athletic shoes)," Limbaugh declared that "[b]y this definition, I'm one." [67] [68] He was incorrectly quoted by Beth Thames in the Huntsville Times as having called himself the "uber-male" [69]

References