"Speaking moistly" is a phrase that none of us asked for, but nonetheless one we were given by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday morning.

Speaking outside of Rideau Cottage, Trudeau was busy advising Canadians to respect physical distancing rules when the phrase was born.

"What I have heard from medical experts is that the most important thing is for people to stay home," Trudeau said. "It protects others more than it protects you because it prevents you from breathing or speaking moistly on them."

The Prime Minister quickly realized his error.

"Ugh, what a terrible image," he said immediately.

Oh man. Trudeau says, on wearing masks, that his understanding is it can be helpful as it prevents you from "breathing or speaking moistly" on others.

"Ugh what a terrible image."

MOISTLY. Our prime Minister just said "moistly," folks.

More: https://t.co/gDsnZulB1L. pic.twitter.com/3ihklc7yvz

— Rachel Gilmore (@atRachelGilmore) April 7, 2020

But it was too late — "speaking moistly" is blowing up faster than Heelys in 2008, with thousands of Canadians taking to social media to weigh in on the cringeworthy phrase.

Some people were shuddering at the Prime Minister's unfortunate choice of words.

Speaking moistly is the opposite of ASMR

— Scott Cameron (@twitscotty) April 7, 2020

While others found the whole fiasco pretty relatable.

Can't say I've ever felt more in common with a PM than JT #speakingmoistly. Sometimes you reach for an adjective, and you feel the pressure from your audience, and a word like "moistly" grabs your attention and won't let go.

— Socially distanced handwashing Mark Dineen (@DineenMa) April 7, 2020

A man in Nova Scotia perfectly encapsulated the sentiment of the phrase.

"Speaking Moistly" sounds like a band formed by your friend from high school whose shows you always found an excuse to avoid.

— Cal MacLellan (@calmaclellan) April 7, 2020

While a man in Waterloo couldn't resist a well-timed joke.

Q. How's the Prime Minister doing in responding to the pandemic?
A. Moistly well.#speakingmoistly pic.twitter.com/FrKpHXibaH

— Scott Piatkowski (@ScottPiatkowski) April 7, 2020

Despite Trudeau's unfortunate turn of phrase, his meaning was spot-on; health officials are now recommending that Canadians wear homemade masks to prevent spreading COVID-19 when talking to others.

Especially if they're speaking moistly.