Linguistics: We can't put a label on how awful this is...
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The word of the week is omnishambles. Omnishambles. Roll it round your lips.
It was a word first used in an expletive-strewn rant by Malcolm Tucker in a lift in The Thick Of It. Recently it became part of the argot of journalists and Government special advisers after Tim Shipman, chairman of the Press Gallery of the House of Commons and deputy political editor of the Daily Mail, used it in private conversation to describe "level six of a 12-point scale" for measuring political disasters.
On Tuesday, Rachel Sylvester, the Times columnist, quoted "one government source" as saying: "I think the technical term is omnishambles." That gave the leader of the Opposition his opening at Prime Minister's Questions the next day. Just beforehand, Mr Shipman asked me: "What price Ed Miliband using the phrase 'omnishambles' in PMQs?"
He couldn't possibly, I said. That would be silly. How wrong I was.
"We are all keen to hear the Prime Minister's view", Mr Miliband said, "on why he thinks, four weeks on from the Budget, even people within Downing street are calling it an omnishambles Budget." Oh well. It was fun while it lasted. That killed it.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments