3 definitions by Odz
In political jargon, a useful idiot is a term currently used to reference a person perceived as propagandizing for a cause—particularly a bad cause originating from a devious, ruthless source—without fully comprehending the cause's goals, and who is cynically being used by the cause's leaders. The term was used during the Cold War to describe non-communists regarded as susceptible to communist propaganda and manipulation. Conversely, it was then, and is used now to describe someone unwittingly doing the bidding of the CIA or US government.
False Attribution to Lenin:
The phrase useful idiot has often been attributed to Vladimir Lenin, but he is not documented as ever having used the phrase. In a 1987 article for The New York Times, American journalist William Safire investigated the origin of the term, commenting that a senior reference librarian at the Library of Congress had been unable to find the phrase in Lenin's works and concluding that in the absence of new evidence, the term could not be attributed to Lenin. Similarly, the Oxford English Dictionary in defining useful idiot says: "The phrase does not seem to reflect any expression used within the Soviet Union".
False Attribution to Lenin:
The phrase useful idiot has often been attributed to Vladimir Lenin, but he is not documented as ever having used the phrase. In a 1987 article for The New York Times, American journalist William Safire investigated the origin of the term, commenting that a senior reference librarian at the Library of Congress had been unable to find the phrase in Lenin's works and concluding that in the absence of new evidence, the term could not be attributed to Lenin. Similarly, the Oxford English Dictionary in defining useful idiot says: "The phrase does not seem to reflect any expression used within the Soviet Union".
"Leftists" who do not believe in international solidarity, or promote elitism, are useful idiots for the CIA.
That guy is either a useful idiot or a spook, because he is sowing dissension in our ranks.
That guy is either a useful idiot or a spook, because he is sowing dissension in our ranks.
by Odz March 3, 2023
An inane term coined by some ad on National Public Radio. Meant to be a form of exclamation similar to booyah or bam.
Something along the lines of "hey look at this thing that I am bringing to your attention, isn't this great."
Almost like a sound effect.
Something along the lines of "hey look at this thing that I am bringing to your attention, isn't this great."
Almost like a sound effect.
Check out my new shoes, *shows shoes* Skaboosh!
In yo face.
Or
Hey, wheres my remote?
Right here, skaboosh!
In yo face.
Or
Hey, wheres my remote?
Right here, skaboosh!
by Odz September 27, 2008
A road rage adjacent driving behavior particularly common in Wisconsin, wherein a driver in the passing lane roughly matches the speed of the driver in the slow lane, so that nobody can go around them. They will each in turn slightly speed up or slow down, creating a shuffling effect, but never leaving enough room for anyone to pass. Often, they will be driving slightly below the speed limit.
Causes are myriad but the emotional core is that both drivers feel they are driving the morally correct speed and nobody should want to go faster or have a problem with being behind them. Both are unwilling to go slower and accept the subordinate position of being passed.
On occasion this dialectical conflict will explode into full road rage and both drivers will suddenly accelerate, well beyond the speed limit until one of them reaches another car and is forced to slam on the brakes. At this point the humiliated party may follow the victor, trying to drive them off the road for some ways, or slink off to nurse their wounded ego and await a new partner.
Causes are myriad but the emotional core is that both drivers feel they are driving the morally correct speed and nobody should want to go faster or have a problem with being behind them. Both are unwilling to go slower and accept the subordinate position of being passed.
On occasion this dialectical conflict will explode into full road rage and both drivers will suddenly accelerate, well beyond the speed limit until one of them reaches another car and is forced to slam on the brakes. At this point the humiliated party may follow the victor, trying to drive them off the road for some ways, or slink off to nurse their wounded ego and await a new partner.
"Sorry I'm late. Some assholes were doing the Wisconsin Shuffle 5 miles under the speed limit the whole way here. Traffic was backed up for miles."
by Odz January 12, 2021