Donald Trump has been associated with some pretty penetrative catchphrases throughout his career: “You’re fired!”, “Such a nasty woman!”, “Grab ├óΓé¼╦£em by the pussy!” to name a few.
Now that he’s president, the former reality star is dropping even MORE catchy expressions to educate us on his tax plan. (Or, more likely, to divert our attention away from it.)
In fact, some of the phrases POTUS comes up with are so influential, they were invented centuries before he was even alive! Wait, what?
Related: White House Says Hillary Clinton ‘Would Have Fired Comey Immediately’
In a recent interview with The Economist, Trump explicitly stated he invented the phrase “priming the pump” — a phrase that has been around since the early 19th century.
After being asked about how his proposed tax plan — which is aiming to treat corporations to a juicy 20% tax cut — will increase the national debt, Trump stated the need to “prime the pump,” a phrase he declared he came up with just a few days ago.
Here’s how the silly exchange went down:
“ECONOMIST: But beyond that it’s OK if the tax plan increases the deficit?
TRUMP: It is OK, because it won’t increase it for long. You may have two years where you’ll├óΓé¼┬ªyou understand the expression “prime the pump”?
ECONOMIST: Yes.
TRUMP: We have to prime the pump.
ECONOMIST: It’s very Keynesian.
TRUMP: We’re the highest-taxed nation in the world. Have you heard that expression before, for this particular type of an event?
ECONOMIST: Priming the pump?
TRUMP: Yeah, have you heard it?
ECONOMIST: Yes.
TRUMP: Have you heard that expression used before? Because I haven’t heard it. I mean, I just…I came up with it a couple of days ago and I thought it was good. It’s what you have to do.
ECONOMIST: It’s…
TRUMP: Yeah, what you have to do is you have to put something in before you can get something out.”
Huh, weird. We thought Trump also discussed “priming the pump” with Billy Bush on that Access Hollywood bus back in ├óΓé¼╦£05!
Related: Trump Gives Typically Bullshit Answer About Firing Comey!
Of course, the President’s appropriation of the centuries-old phrase sparked some hilarious responses on Twitter — including a fact check from the always-shady Merriam-Webster account:
The phrase ‘priming the pump’ dates to the early 19th century.
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) May 11, 2017
Trump should take credit for the phrase, “lying like a rug”. https://t.co/AWSOoFRDgQ
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) May 11, 2017
#primingthepump
When it’s the anniversary of someone’s birth, we should start saying “happy birthday” to them. I think it’ll really catch on
— Edward J Thomas (@UnknownWr1ter) May 11, 2017
#primingthepump pic.twitter.com/thOxwYp108
— Zorro P Freely 48% (@banalyst) May 11, 2017
@MerriamWebster @MayfairCynic The 19th C is an example of a century that’s done an amazing job & is getting recognized more and more, I notice
— Sam Tyfield (@SamTyfield) May 11, 2017
Trump tells @TheEconomist he came up with phrase “Priming the pump.”
Not bad, but still think my own “I ├ó┬¥┬ñ├»┬╕┬Å NY” is catchier. pic.twitter.com/8qdX3yp6Ce
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) May 11, 2017
BREAKING: TRUMP ORDERS FBI TO PROVE HE INVENTED PHRASE ‘PRIMING THE PUMP’
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) May 11, 2017
“Priming the Old Pump,” April 8, 1930
h/t https://t.co/vwTG8sXypq pic.twitter.com/urGCEy3TPa
— Jason Zweig (@jasonzweigwsj) May 11, 2017
Trump is a 70-year-old businessman. He says that until a few days ago, he’d never heard the phrase “priming the pump” used about the economy https://t.co/sURVunUzZx
— James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) May 11, 2017
Sad!
Though let’s not forget what prompted Trump to claim ownership of the common phrase — because he didn’t want to (couldn’t?) explain his tax plan!
Luckily for POTUS, treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin was also present to cough up a response full of percentages, figures and, of course, the Trump-coined phrase “priming the pump.”
Thank goodness POTUS invented that term just a few days ago. It’s already so useful!
[Image via Instagram.]
-
Categories
