Skip to main content

squirmish 

A foreign conflict which cannot be labelled easily as a war or intervention.
The ex-governor of the cold, northern, non-contiguous state questioned whether the United States might be involved in a squirmish in Libya.
squirmish by Pierre Boulez April 16, 2011
Related Words

squirmish 

A word Sarah Palin used to describe the conflict in Libya. She created it similar to the way she created the word, "Refudiate".
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?
squirmish by 28lobster April 17, 2011

squirmish 

A. A sophisticated foreign policy analysis.

B. What happens when worms get into a fight.
"Squirmish, huh? Well, that's either some sophisticated foreign policy analysis, or what happens when worms get into a fight." - Jon Stewart
squirmish by Beps April 16, 2011

squirmish 

(n) A squirmy skirmish, as in a tickle fight.
They were worn out from their squirmish.
squirmish by meggiemeg March 7, 2010

squirmish 

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.
It was just a squirmish, Sarah didn't want to muss her hair-do.
squirmish by effusing April 17, 2011

squirmish 

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?`
squirmish by notmelbrooks April 18, 2011