It all started off as an ordinary prime minister’s questions – the normal quips between the leaders, the questions, and the bad gags.
Yet it became a case of raised eyebrows and suggestive double-entendres as the prime minister, David Cameron, made a dig at the shadow chancellor, Ed Balls.
Cameron said:
The shadow chancellor said he would be tough on the deficit and tough on the causes of the deficit. He is one of the causes of the deficit.
I think we’ve all found one of the first ever examples of political masosadism.
Some MPs were left open-mouthed, while others shouted: “You mean sadomasochism!”
The Speaker of the house, John Bercow, cried: “Order, order! We all know what the prime minister meant. I understand the house gets excited.”
One MP said audibly: “You screwed it up.”
Cameron corrected himself, saying: “I meant to say masochism,” and added:
Normally the shadow chancellor likes to dish it out but he can’t take it, but after this quote I think he obviously quite likes taking it as well, so there we are.
But pray tell, what is masosadism, Mr Cameron?
That all-important maso-sadism Vine http://t.co/vbitSZxbRA
— Luke Lewis (@lukelewis) December 3, 2014
#Masosadism took off on Twitter during prime minister’s questions:
#masosadism trending in 3, 2,1….
— Mark Ferguson (@Markfergusonuk) December 3, 2014
Lobby correspondents began to provide some expert political context for the word:
Cameron's masosadism is presumably the act of taking a beating at pmqs from your own backbenchers
— Tim Shipman (@ShippersUnbound) December 3, 2014
Is maso sadism allowed under UK porn rules?
— Jess Brammar (@jessbrammar) December 3, 2014
Or to refer to previous tweets that have got political figures in trouble:
*innocent face* Is maso-sadism a thing, David Cameron? #pmqs
— Claire Phipps (@Claire_Phipps) December 3, 2014
And give explanations of what the word actually means:
So that's what Balls busting is #pmqs
— Jingle Boles (@GeneralBoles) December 3, 2014
Oh god, it's all gone a bit fifty shades of grey #pmqs
— Gaby Hinsliff (@gabyhinsliff) December 3, 2014
Then puns were whipped up:
Black Rod #masosadism
— r@v (@TVRav) December 3, 2014
Cameron tying himself in knots over #masosadism #pmqs
— Ian Reeve (@IanGReeve) December 3, 2014
A busy night ahead for the government Whips & Chains #masosadism
— r@v (@TVRav) December 3, 2014
Fifty shades of grey suits #pmqs #masosadism
— Claire Phipps (@Claire_Phipps) December 3, 2014
A very helpful urban dictionary definition of #masosadism was found:
So masosadism is a thing. PM apparently knew what he was talking about #pmqs Urban Dictionary: masosadist http://t.co/9xNhXugCHh
— James Chapman (Mail) (@jameschappers) December 3, 2014
And all the big questions were asked and normal business was resumed.
Anyone for a bit of masosadism? #pmqs #AS2014 #AutumnStatement pic.twitter.com/5cDrerSQK4
— Jingle Boles (@GeneralBoles) December 3, 2014
