"Squirmish, huh? Well, that's either some sophisticated foreign policy analysis, or what happens when worms get into a fight." - Jon Stewart
by Beps March 30, 2011
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The esteemed half term Governor Sarah Palin created a new word for the American lexicon during an unsuccessful attempt to discredit U.S. President Barack Obama.
When the words squeamish and skirmish are combined, squirmish is born. A squirmish occurs when one party engages in a fight with another, but with fear, reserve, or lack of enthusiasm instead of bravado, possibly inferring a lack of courage.
Using the word squirmish can be in and of itself a squirmish. For instance, instead of coming out and calling Pres. Obama a coward, Palin used an inference of cowardice, thereby demonstrating what a half-assed attack can look like, and thus a squirmish.
When the words squeamish and skirmish are combined, squirmish is born. A squirmish occurs when one party engages in a fight with another, but with fear, reserve, or lack of enthusiasm instead of bravado, possibly inferring a lack of courage.
Using the word squirmish can be in and of itself a squirmish. For instance, instead of coming out and calling Pres. Obama a coward, Palin used an inference of cowardice, thereby demonstrating what a half-assed attack can look like, and thus a squirmish.
by effusing March 31, 2011
A mispronunciation of skirmish .
Discussing the situation in Libya with Fox News`s Greta Van Susteren, foreign policy expert and noted wordsmith Sarah Palin said, `I haven`t heard the president state that we`re at war. That`s why I too am not knowing -- do we use the term intervention? Do we use war? Do we use squirmish? What is it?`
by notmelbrooks March 31, 2011
An international conflict that is so politically delicate that any involvement is officially 'denied nor confirmed'.
The word is invented by governor Sarah Palin in May 2011 when she mispronounced "skirmish" when referring to the involvement of the US in the 'Arab Spring'. The word happened to perfectly describe the awkwardness of the situation.
The word is invented by governor Sarah Palin in May 2011 when she mispronounced "skirmish" when referring to the involvement of the US in the 'Arab Spring'. The word happened to perfectly describe the awkwardness of the situation.
by Aufbakanleitung April 13, 2011
Noun: A state of armed conflict between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state that isn't quite a war.
by dctrpunda April 6, 2011
adj. Cautious because of a feeling of disgust or nausea
n. A conflict, the severity and extent of which is not properly identified; a military action variously and sporadically described as a war, intervention, police action, etc.
Coined in this sense by Sarah Palin, misspeaking the word "skirmish"
n. A conflict, the severity and extent of which is not properly identified; a military action variously and sporadically described as a war, intervention, police action, etc.
Coined in this sense by Sarah Palin, misspeaking the word "skirmish"
"I haven't heard the president say that we are at war, and that's why I, too, am not knowing, do we use the term "intervention," do we use "war," do we use "squirmish"? What is it?"
- Sarah Palin on Fox News Channel, March 29th, 2011
- Sarah Palin on Fox News Channel, March 29th, 2011
by ChunAsperEndao March 30, 2011