Slate, “When Did ‘Douche’ Become an Insult?”

March 2, 2012

Brian Palmer, “When Did ‘Douche’ Become an Insult?” (Slate, Mar. 2, 2012)

Lexicographer and Slate contributor Ben Zimmer points to a 1987 taping of The Morton Downey Jr. Show, during which an audience member taunted Lyndon Larouche with the phrase “Larouche is a douche.” The 1991 Anthrax song “Startin’ Up a Posse” includes the lyrics “You’re a douche, you’re a douche, you’re a douche,” in apparent reference to record executives and/or government censors.

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