“Words mean things”
“Words mean things” has been the catchphrase of conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh since at least 1993. Limbaugh often uses “words mean things” to describe the particular choice of words that politicians and bureaucrats use. “Words mean things” has had long use before Limbaugh and does not have a particular date or place of origin.
Wikipedia: Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III (pronounced /ˈlɪmbɔː/; born January 12, 1951) is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in conservative politics and Conservatism in the United States. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United States. Limbaugh signed an 8 year, $400 million contract extension with Clear Channel in 2008 that pays him $50 million a year.
Google Books
See, I told you so
By Rush H. Limbaugh
New York, NY: Pocket Books
1993
Pg. 238:
I even alluded to it in the last chapter: Words mean things. Maybe some of you have wondered, “Why the heck does Rush keep saying that? It’s obvious that words mean things. What’s the big deal? What is he really trying to say?
Google News Archive
29 January 1993, Kingman (AZ) Daily Miner, Letters, pg. 4, col. 1:
Anyone who would take umbrage at Rush Limbaugh for taking politicians at their word is being paranoid, immature, too trusting of politicians and naive. And his turn of phrase: “Symbolism Over Substance…Words Mean Things” will rank right up there with other great American sayings:...
Google News Archive
24 December 1993. Schenectady (NY) Daily Gazette, “Letter was insult to Limbaugh fans” by Roy F. Bordeau, Rotterdam (Letter), pg. B10, col. 6:
The terms racist, sexist and homophobe should not be used lightly and carelessly! Words mean things!
The ‘Lectric Law Library
Rush Limbaugh’s Original & Updated 35 ‘Undeniable Truths’
The “Undeniable Truths” were part of an article he wrote for the Sacramento Union back in 1988. Here they are:
(...)
Rush has updated this list, many of the “old” UTOL having become somewhat dated (but no less true for being in the past tense!) As read by Rush Limbaugh on his radio show, Friday, February 18, 1994:
(...)
34. Words mean things.
Google Books
Logic and Mr. Limbaugh:
A dittohead’s guide to fallacious reasoning
By Ray Perkins, Jr.
Chicago, IL: Open Court
1995
Pg. 172:
As Rush likes to remind us, ‘words mean things.’
Google Books
Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot and other observations
By Al Franken
New York, NY: Dell
1999
Pg. 124:
Rush Limbaugh likes to I say, “words mean things.” Which is why I probably should have called this book Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Liar.
Google Groups: rec.birds
Newsgroups: rec.birds
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (Eric DeFonso)
Date: 2000/01/04
Subject: Re: hawk vs dog vs environmentalist wackos
“Words mean things?” Heh. They seem to mean whatever Rush wants them to mean.