[Ads-l] Originator of "Tush Push" ?

[Peter Reitan]

Not related to the football play, but earlier than the early dance usage noted by Ben Zimmer, an AP wire photo published in several newspapers in 1978 show Jimmy Carter assisting his nephew Jason up a slope from behind while hiking in Maryland.  The caption refers to the maneuver as a "tush push."

Here's a link to one example in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, November 25, 1978, page 7c.

https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/173849772/

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From: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU> on behalf of Shapiro, Fred <fred.shapiro at YALE.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 1:10:21 PM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Subject: Originator of "Tush Push" ?

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Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Poster:       "Shapiro, Fred" <fred.shapiro at YALE.EDU>
Subject:      Originator of "Tush Push" ?
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I am trying to ascertain who originated the name "Tush Push" for a controve=
rsial kind of quarterback sneak in the National Football League.  I would w=
elcome any input on the originator of the name.

Fred Shapiro

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