Donald Trump #SmockingGun typo sets Twitter on fire
Get your smocking-gun memes while they're hot.
Most typos dropped on Twitter stay under the radar. US President Donald Trump, however, is under a social-media magnifying glass, and Twitter users took notice when he misspelled "smoking" twice in one tweet Monday.
The typos came during a tirade against the federal government's investigation into possible Russian ties to Trump's presidential campaign.
“Democrats can’t find a Smocking Gun tying the Trump campaign to Russia after James Comey’s testimony. No Smocking Gun...No Collusion.” @FoxNews That’s because there was NO COLLUSION. So now the Dems go to a simple private transaction, wrongly call it a campaign contribution,...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2018
The typos sent #SmockingGun shooting up the trending chart as Twitter users delighted in references to smocks, apron-like garments usually worn to keep people clean while making artwork.
"#SmockingGun sounds like an arts and crafts shop in Texas where kids build their own AR-15s," wrote comedian Marie Connor.
#SmockingGun sounds like an arts and crafts shop in Texas where kids build their own AR-15s.
— Marie Connor (@thistallawkgirl) December 10, 2018
Minnesota Representative-elect Ilhan Omar chimed in, saying, "I bet we can find a #SmockingGun online somewhere, and use it to whip up some adorable 1980's throwback children's wear."
I bet we can find a #SmockingGun online somewhere, and use it to whip up some adorable 1980’s throwback children’s wear. https://t.co/oQknzi2RKG
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 10, 2018
Kerry O.C. drew a line between the smocking gun and fashion consultant and TV host Tim Gunn, writing "Found one!!"
Found one!! #SmockingGun pic.twitter.com/UE1ULzcUJS
— Kerry O.C. (@KCBostonDem) December 10, 2018
The Gunn-pun tweet works even better once you know the true meaning of "smocking." The Merriam-Webster dictionary try to set everyone straight by dropping this definition: "'Smocking' is a type of embroidery made of many small folds sewn into place."
Today in Spellcheck Can't Save You:
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) December 10, 2018
'Smocking' is a type of embroidery made of many small folds sewn into place. https://t.co/3wbxPG24ne
Twitter user Matthew Kick gave a humorous shout-out to one of Trump's most famous Twitter spellings of all time, the mysterious "covfefe" back in 2017.
“I’m going out for a smock break”
— Matthew Kick (@MatthewKick) December 10, 2018
Me: Can you pick me up a large covfefe on your way back?#SmockingGun
The typo also dredged up a bit of distant political history from back in 1992, when Vice President Dan Quayle misspelled "potato" while helping out with a spelling bee. "Somewhere Dan Quayle is smiling because he's no longer the worst speller associated with the White House," screenwriter Ryan Malik said.
Somewhere Dan Quayle is smiling because he’s no longer the worst speller associated with the White House. #SmockingGun
— Ryan Malik 🎄 (@theaterfilms1) December 10, 2018
A Twitter user going by the handle Puma managed to turn the newborn smocking-gun meme into a Star Wars and Star Trek crossover by writing, "My favorite Star Wars character is Mr. Smock."
"My favorite Star Wars character is Mr Smock"#SmockingGun
— Puma (@therealPumaster) December 10, 2018
Smocking is the latest in a string of Trump Twitter typos, following on the heels of previous efforts, including "unpresidented" for "unprecedented" and "Assuage" instead of Julian "Assange." Trump has occasionally deleted misspelled tweets, but "No Smocking Gun....No Collusion" is still living large on Twitter hours after its debut.
CNET's Holiday Gift Guide: The place to find the best tech gifts for 2018.
Fight the Power: Take a look at who's transforming the way we think about energy.