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
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War 2 to define the Nazi sympathizers. Now often used to describe the “
Woke “ generation who have no idea what they are talking about but are pro terrorist anyway.
War 2 to define the Nazi sympathizers. Now often used to describe the “
Woke “ generation who have no idea what they are talking about but are pro terrorist anyway.
by Anti- terrorism January 31, 2024
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A term used by US Navy personnel most often in the form of the acronym "nub" to describe new personnel aboard a submarine who have not yet qualified for submarines. Typically useless for anything other than cleaning, taking out the trash, and making fun of on watch.
Term is often mistaken by nubs to be synonymous with noob.
Term is often mistaken by nubs to be synonymous with noob.
Keane: Non useful body... I don't know what's so offensive. Man, I called this one nub a nub and he's like "It's not 'nub,' it's 'noob.' I almost tased that little punk.
Finney: Why didn't you?
Keane: I didn't want to deal with all the taser acquisition forms.
Finney: What about... Currently Unqualified Naval Trainee?
Finney: Why didn't you?
Keane: I didn't want to deal with all the taser acquisition forms.
Finney: What about... Currently Unqualified Naval Trainee?
by ET1Keane November 14, 2010
Get the non useful body mug.Bill: do you think my having my old things is useful?
Sam: Its about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Bill: umm ok?
Sam: Its about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Bill: umm ok?
by Biggest_Hamilton_Fan October 22, 2020
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A waste of oxygen
Completely worthless
A waste of space
Devoid of any purposeful function on this earth
Something about as useful as a screen door on a submarine
A waste of oxygen
Completely worthless
A waste of space
Devoid of any purposeful function on this earth
Something about as useful as a screen door on a submarine
by shakneekwa October 14, 2005
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This saying was conceived by Bob and his buddy Mel while on a cycle ride to Portsmouth Dock Yard via Gosport in the Summer of 1963. They passed by a naval shipyard and noticed a beached and apparently discarded mini (aka: one-person) submarine in the assembly yard. The yard gate was open, so the guys checked out the sub and noticed that it had an open hatch upon which had been placed a fly screen (of the household variety), beggaring the question: "what is as useful as a fly screen on a submarine"??? Ironically, someone had punched a hole through the screen through which a horde of wasps had flown in through the hatch and nested. The thought came to mind of how annoying it would be - after closing up the submarine - to have the wasps buzzing around inside the sub...
Following immigration to Canada in 1975, one of the guys adjusted the saying to: "as useful as a screen door on a submarine" to accommodate Vancouver Island / BC / Canada / North America vernacular (which didn't recognize the term "fly screen").
Following immigration to Canada in 1975, one of the guys adjusted the saying to: "as useful as a screen door on a submarine" to accommodate Vancouver Island / BC / Canada / North America vernacular (which didn't recognize the term "fly screen").
the act of a Central Bank 'printing' fiat money, ie: quantitative easing, in an attempt to curb inflation is "as useful as a fly screen on a submarine"
by Myrddin Wyllt October 26, 2022
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