Enlightened rednecks turn to the dictionary, a trusted source for accurate definitions for centuries, when they are confused about how someone else is using a word. Elitists scoff at those who must rely on mere dictionary-writing mortals to grasp the nuanced meaning of simple words.

President Obama is an elitist. He scolded George Stephanopoulos of ABC’s “This Week” for having the gall to look up a word and challenge the president’s plan to “tax” Americans by mandating health insurance.

OBAMA: George, you — you can’t just make up that language and decide that that’s called a tax increase. …

STEPHANOPOULOS: I don’t think I’m making it up. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary: Tax — “a charge, usually of money, imposed by authority on persons or property for public purposes.”

OBAMA: George, the fact that you looked up Merriam’s Dictionary, the definition of tax increase, indicates to me that you’re stretching a little bit right now. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have gone to the dictionary to check on the definition.

Silly George. You should know by now that you’re supposed to use “The Obama Dictionary” as your sole source for reporting news from the White House.

UPDATE: Stephanopoulos actually didn’t need a dictionary to make his point to the president. One of the bills now before the Senate calls the proposal in question an “excise tax.” (Hat tip to Michelle Malkin)