Winkgate. Abbott slammed on social media
"Winker, Wanker, Sold Ya, Lie".
The tweet set the tone for social media's reaction to Prime Minister Tony Abbott winking and smirking about a talkback caller's budget concerns.
Mr Abbott was caught on camera winking after a pensioner who called the ABC to voice her concerns about the budget said she had to work on a adult sex toy production line just to get by.
As soon as she mentioned sex toys Mr Abbott winked at the ABC 774 Melbourne producer and continued to listen with a smirk on his face.
A spokesman later said the wink was meant to indicate that the PM was happy to continue with the interview.
But that didn't stop social media having a field day and the video was soon being widely shared on Facebook and other social media platforms.
Comedian Nick Oliver, known as Sir Nicks-A-Lot on Twitter, made a reference to the 2011 spy thrill Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy when he tweeted "Winker, Wanker, Sold Ya, Lie".
Media commentator Tracey Spicer wrote: "Tony Abbott, you are a disgusting creep" posting a YouTube version of the wink video to Twitter with the hashtags #winkgate #smirkgate.
Twitter user named Possum Comitatus wrote: "Tony Abbott being a winker is close enough."
It hasn't been a good week for Mr Abbott, who has faced a backlash since the federal budget was handed down last week.
The hashtag #MorePopularThanAbbott began trending on Twitter on Monday, a dig at the prime minister's declaration he wasn't vying for popularity following two bad post-budget opinion polls.
"In the end, my job is not necessarily to win a popularity contest, my job is to run the country effectively," he told ABC radio.
Twitter has since been bombarded by hundreds of creative taunts declaring Kim Jong Un, the Spanish Inquisition, rabies and leggings as pants all more popular than the nation's leader.
Kraft's failed brand name Vegemite iSnack 2.0 was among the jabs, as was floppy disks, granny panties and a post-teen Bieber.
Even sporting stars have been pulled into the mix, with one tweet claiming detested English cricketer Stuart Broad is more popular.
