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 Limbaugh's radio program unless otherwise cited.

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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 phalloplasty (genital surgery sometimes performed on female-to-male transsexuals). [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]

Anderson Cooper 180

CNN's Anderson Cooper 360.

Ashley Wilkes

A term to describe General Wesley Clark. This is a reference to Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.

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.

B

Baba Wawa

Barbara Walters [7]

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. [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. Combination of Obama's name with that of Donovan McNabb.

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].

Battered Liberal Syndrome

Analogous to battered person syndrome, a phenomenon in which lower-class people and racial minorities continue to overwhelmingly support liberals and Democrats despite their long history of failing to effect meaningful change for those constituents. [11]

Bella Pelosi

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). The term is a takeoff on Bella Abzug, a prominent feminist, as well as Bela Lugosi, the late actor best known for his portrayal of Count Dracula.

Ben Affliction

Ben Affleck [12]

Benedict Arnold

Harry Reid [13] Refers to Reid's plans to pull American troops out of Iraq, referring to him as a traitor for the country, supporting terrorists.

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

Calypso Louis

A reference to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan's former occupation as a calypso singer.[15]

Chopadickoffomy

Slang for vaginoplasty (primary surgery performed on male-to-female transsexuals). [16]

Clinton Library and Massage Parlor

Limbaugh's reference to the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park.

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 a reference to Club Med. Limbaugh believes that conditions at the prison are not as grave as those reported by other media outlets. An announcer in a mock advertisement bills it as "your tropical retreat from the stress of jihad." Limbaugh 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." [17]

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 supposedly pronounced by Senator Ted Kennedy [18]

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.[19]

"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.[20]

Dingy Harry

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)[21]. [22]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.[23] The name comes from a story Rush tells of being tricked by an auto shop into purchasing a "disgronifier" for his car.

Dittoheads

Faithful listeners to The Rush Limbaugh Show.[24] 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."

DNCTV

One of two terms for cable news channel MSNBC.

Drive-by media

The mainstream media. Limbaugh asserts that the mainstream media attempt to ambush their enemies in a manner analogous to that of gang members i.e. in a drive-by shooting. He also uses the term to claim that the media causes the news rather than reports it, e.g., reporting that a Qur’ān was found in a toilet which led to riots in the Middle East, or by supposedly creating a rigged poll to report that a politician is polling poorly, then running stories about why people think the politician polls poorly. Limbaugh also claims the media does not try to get the whole story or both sides of a story.

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." 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. This is an allusion to the U.S. Southern Command, which is headquartered in Miami.

Eco-Nazi

Limbaugh's term for someone who commits terrorism in the name of environmentalism, including organizations like Earth Liberation Front, Earth First!, and the Animal Liberation Front.

Environmentalist wacko

A militant environmental activist or group who Limbaugh claims are often Democrats or Green Party members. [25] 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 Academy Awards, a.k.a. "The Oscars" [26]

Err America

Air America, for its amount of liberal talk radio.

Every Square Inch of My Glorious Naked Body

Limbaugh uses this phrase to jest about his knowledge of subjects. For example, "I know liberals like I know every square inch of my glorious naked body."

Excellence in Broadcasting (EIB) Network

The on-air name for the network of 590 AM and FM stations that carry the program. It is not a legal entity and is wholly owned by Premiere Radio Networks. The logo for the show is derived from the "EIB" abbreviation.

F

Feminazi

According to Limbaugh's books, this term does not refer to feminists in general. "Feminazis" are those that Limbaugh claims 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 in Germany. Limbaugh believes that fewer than 25 people are true Feminazis by this definition.

Formerly Nicotine-Stained Fingers

Rush uses this phrase when referring to something he's holding, usually a document, news article, cigars, etc.

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.[27]

Forehead, The

What Limbaugh calls CNN contributor and democratic strategist Paul Begala.[28]

G

George Lakoff (Rhymes With)

A reference to Professor George Lakoff, a Professor of Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley, and political commentator [29]. In reality, however, Lakoff pronounces his name "Lake-off". (The "rhymes with" implication is "jack off," although FCC regulations dictate that it never be explicitly stated on air.)

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 [30]. Additionally, a July 10, 2007 caller complained that a date was ruined by a Gore-gasm she was having [31].

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 [32]

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"[33]. Limbaugh became a lifelong fan of the Steelers while he lived and worked in Pittsburgh in the 1970s.

H

Halfrican American

Portmanteau of Half and African American.

The Haughty John Kerry

Assertion made by Limbaugh that John Kerry possesses an elitist attitude.

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."[34]

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."

Jello-O Molds

Name given to "moderates" whom he believes to be moldable like jell-o, transparent, and oftentimes stuffed with marshmallows.

K.O.O.K.S.

"Keepers Of Odd Knowledge Society." Limbaugh's moniker for conspiracy theorists. Can also refer to the fictional anti-soccer organization, "Keep Our Own Kids Safe".

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 [35]

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.

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") [36]. Substitute host Jason Lewis also frequently uses the term, especially when he worked at WBT.

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.

Loser, the

Michael Dukakis, unsuccessful candidate for President in 1988.

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.[37]

Meet the Liberals

NBC's 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.[38]

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 [39]

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.[40]

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.[41]

Ned Lament

Nickname (coined on 8/15/2006) for Connecticut Democratic Senate primary election winner Ned Lamont, whose anti-war position Limbaugh opposes,[42] as did Lamont's opponent, Senator Joe Lieberman.

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.[43] 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.[44]

Ninth Circus Court of Appeals

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, noted for controversial decisions that are reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court more often than those of other courts.[45]

Nostrilitis, Nostrildamus

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA)[46]

Obscene Profits

Limbaugh refers to his commercial breaks as Obscene Profit Center timeouts.

Operation Chaos

An effort promoted by Limbaugh to cause chaos in the Democratic Party primaries by having voters vote for whichever candidate is trailing, thus prolonging the primary process.

"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."[47] Limbaugh has been incorrectly cited as the originator of this 'nickname' by other news agencies. Most notably MSNBC and CNN.

P–R

PMSNBC

One of two terms for cable news channel MSNBC.

The Punk

Terry McAuliffe, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.[48]

Puff Daschle

Nickame used by Limbaugh for Tom Daschle during his tenure as South Dakota senator.

Queen Bee Nancy (QBN)

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.[49]. Limbaugh coined this nickname after reading an article about supposed "queen bee syndrome" among working women and claimed that Pelosi's attitude toward her fellow congresswomen (such as fellow California Democrat Jane Harman) fit the description.[50]

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." [51]

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.[52]

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

Sandy Burglar

Samuel Richard "Sandy" Berger, former National Security Advisor under Bill Clinton, for having pled guilty in April 2005 for the charge of unauthorized removal and retention of classified material from the National Archives in Washington.

Screw-ool

School. A Portmanteau of the words screw and school reflecting Limbaugh's belief that the public school system indoctrinates rather than actually teaching.

Seasoned citizens

senior citizens.

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 claimed that liberal Democrats in Congress favored Islamic terrorists over the United States Military fighting them in Iraq and Afghanistan.[53]

Senator Helmet Head

Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND)[54]

"Sheets" Byrd

Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), former cross-burning Klansman, who Limbaugh refers to as "Sheets" because Byrd is a former "Kleagle" (Ku Klux Klan recruiter).[55]

Slay the Nation

CBS's Face the Nation

Soup Line America

Sometimes referenced as "the soup-line mentality."[56] Portrayal of the economy by Democratic politicians and the media as being in a disatrous Depression-era state even when unemployment is low and other economic statistics are strong.[57]

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.[58]

St. Louis Descratch

St. Louis Post-Dispatch [59]

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. [60]

T

Testicle lockbox

An (imaginary) device to hold a man's privates. Limbaugh believes that Hillary Clinton gets very few hostile interviews: When Hillary Clinton is interviewed by the male hosts of talk shows, Limbaugh believes that she puts their testicles in a lockbox before the program and, if they behave and don't ask her hard questions, they may get their testicles back when the interview is over, resulting in fawning interviews rather than serious journalism. [61]

Tom "Puff" Daschle

Former Senate majority leader.

Top ten female names

• Lauren (or Laura from October 5, 2007)
• Martha
• Kristen
• Nancy
• Jennifer (or Jenny) (September 25, 2007, January 28, 2008, & February 26, 2008)
• Barbara (June 15, 2007)
• Amy (June 15, 2007 & January 9, 2008)
• Kim (June 15, 2007)
• Kathy or Cathy, (August 3, 2007)
• Tracey (August 3, 2007)
• Leslie (August 16, 2007)
• Cheryl (August 21, 2007)
• Elizabeth, but not Liz or Beth (September 5, 2007)
• Susan (September 24, 2007)
• Melanie (October 2 2007)
• Megan (November 5, 2007)
• Tina (November 13, 2007)
• Ellen (November 19, 2007)
• Sarah (December 11, 2007)
• Alice (December 13, 2007)
• Allison (January 9, 2008)
• Morgan (February 11, 2008)
• Jenna, although Rush clarified that the caller's name Jeanna is not on his Top Ten list... (March 3, 2008)
• Tenisha (March 3 2008)
• Michelle (April 8, 2008)

As of April 8, 2008, Rush has 25 "Top Ten names..." On February 7, 2007 Rush admitted that he does not know how many names are really on this list.

U-Z

Undies

Undecided voters.

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).[62]

Worst President in All of Our Lifetimes and Beyond, The

Former President Jimmy Carter

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." These phrases date back to his days under the name of "Jeff Christie," a top 40 disc jockey in Pittsburgh. The "Golden EIB Microphone", however, is a real object, gold-plated by the manufacturer and presented to Rush.

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.

• Chief Waga-Waga El Rushbo of the El Conservo Tribe
• 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
• The Maharushi (or Maha Rushie)
• 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. [63]

• The Mr. Big of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy[64]
• 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."[65]

• Harmless loveable little fuzzball and all around good/nice guy

Nickname Rush created for himself in response to the above claim that he is the "most dangerous man in America".

• 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 get to use these talents only 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"[66] "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.[67]

• Über-sexual

Limbaugh used this description of himself after reading a press release [68] 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." [69] [70] He was incorrectly quoted by Beth Thames in the Huntsville Times as having called himself the "uber-male" [71]