shock jock

noun

1. a radio disc jockey or host who features offensive or controversial material.

shock jock

noun

1. informal.
   a radio disc jockey who is deliberately controversial or provocative

Word History and Origins

Origin of shock jock¹

1985–90, Americanism

Example Sentences

Some are ideological die-hards yearning for Christian nationalism, but others just wanted the thrill of identifying with a shock jock, sowing mayhem, and putting a Black woman in power back in her place.

From Slate

His TV persona, he has said, is part shock jock; he doesn’t really care if you love him or hate him as long as you don’t change the channel.

From Los Angeles Times

She's already spoken with one-time shock jock Howard Stern and visited "The View."

From Salon

His speeches and social media presence channel a D-list shock jock mentality, filtered through a Christian nationalist lens, that's grown in popularity in the Trump era.

From Salon

A year after Stern’s show launched, the shock jock and Buchwald were given $82.9 million in Sirius shares as a bonus related to subscriber growth that far outpaced predictions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• announcer
• broadcaster
• deejay
• disk jockey
• radio announcer