ride the short bus

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

ride the short bus (third-person singular simple present rides the short bus, present participle riding the short bus, simple past rode the short bus, past participle ridden the short bus)

1. (US, slang, idiomatic, derogatory, education) To participate in a special education program, such as for those with learning disabilities.
2. (US, slang, idiomatic, derogatory, education) To require a special education program, as though one were learning-disabled.
   • 2006, Mark Driscoll, Confessions of a Reformission Rev:

     […] complete with golden shag carpet on the floor and Christian rock posters on the wall for the poor kids forced to ride the short bus of Christian culture […]

   • 2009, Micol Ostow, GoldenGirl:

     "Have you been riding the short bus, or something? You know what Us Weekly said about her."

   • 2011, Anthony Q. Artis, The Shut Up and Shoot: Freelance Video Guide‎^[1]:

     Admittedly, I'm no Rhodes Scholar, but I didn't ride the short bus to school either, […]

   • 2014, T. E. Woods, The Red Hot Fix: A Justice Novel‎^[2]:

     “You think because I make my living putting balls through hoops, I rode the short bus to school?”

   • 2014, Greg Figueroa, Emily Feliciano, Worst Dates: best of the rest‎^[3], page 4:

     I accidentally called him Chris, and he turned red and yelled, "My name is Christopher"
     Okay, now I was thinking he rode the short bus. As quick as he erupted, he relaxed and told me how much he loves his nanna and his kitty, Buttons. I ended the date early and said goodnight and went home.

   • 2016 October 21, “Flynn, Burgerhoff square off in 113th district debate”, in Scranton Times-Tribune:

     Is there any place on earth that has as many elected officials who rode the short bus to school as Lackawanna County?