London:
A newly coined phrase, "bunga bunga", used to describe Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's alleged sex romps, has now entered the country's lexicon.
Since a teenage runaway-turned-belly dancer, Karima Keyek, claimed to have witnessed the so-called "bunga bunga" sex sessions, the phrase has been dominating news bulletins, appearing in newspaper cartoons, rap songs and parodies on TV television shows, '
The Daily Telegraph' reported.
The phrase is said to come either from the punchline to one of the Premier's favourite bawdy jokes, or refers to an "erotic ritual" that Berlusconi had picked up from his friend, Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader.
It has entered the Italian lexicon and inspired dozens of spoofs, including a rap song and a parody by a TV comedian in which the words to the Shakira hit "Waka Waka" -- the theme tune for this year's Football World Cup -- were replaced by references to "bunga bunga," the report said.
The phrase is also providing endless material for discussion among Italians in cafes and bars. An opposition party, Italy of Values, has come up with a campaign poster, "Evolution of the species?" with three images of Berlusconi -- one showing him dressed in the sort of traditional North African robes worn by Col Gaddaffi, above the words "bunga bunga".
The catchphrase has even been co-opted by the sports press. When AC Milan, the team owned by Berlusconi, were beaten at the weekend 2-1 by Juventus, La Gazzetta Sportiva ran the front page headline: "Bunga Bunga Juve!"