Shovel buddy

First coined by Steve Morrison of the Preston and Steve morning show on 93.3 WMMR, a shovel buddy is a person whom you entrust the location of anything stored in your home that would bring shame or besmirch your reputation posthumously. A "shovel buddy" would, upon hearing of the horrible news (or as announced by the Royersford, Pennsylvania fire alarm - heretofore "the Shovel Buddy Emergency Response System"), immediately cease what they were doing, race to your house, and remove any embarrassing paraphernalia. These things should be removed and buried, hence the term "shovel buddy". This should be one of your life-long and closest friends.

During their show, February 22, 2007, the gang discussed a situation regarding copious amounts of "extreme" pornography that was found after a loved one's passing. It was then that Steve Morrison first uttered the words "shovel buddy" in reference to this situation.

In short, a buddy dies or becomes severely incapacitated, the siren blows. Protocol states that you must stop what you are doing, tell your loved ones that there is nothing to fear and that you will be home in several days. They should not ask questions.

In the September 15, 2007 "Ask Amy" advice column, quoting reader responses to the question of how to deal with surprising and "potentially upsetting" items found after a person's death, the phrase "shovel buddy" was used.

On the Philadelphia rock radio station, 93.3 WMMR, the term "shovel buddy" is used quite frequently by Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison during their morning show, 'Preston and Steve in the Morning'.