# Learn how to pronounce, "President" Bush **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 7, 2003, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638 "2003-03-07T02:41:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![mystic2311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mystic2311](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mystic2311)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/81 "2003-03-07T21:17:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\* > Anyone who voted for Nader and helped split the Democratic vote is at least partially responsible for putting that buffoon in office, so, again, shut up. > > Using quotes out of spite makes you look like a petty jerk, and if you don’t want to argue about it, then don’t post in the Pit, Jackson. Like it or not, our flawed system (and every single one of you idiots who voted for Nader) put Bush in the White House and he is the legitimate president. > > Be seeing you in the Ministry of Love. \*\* Not necessarily, I voted for Nader in Hawaii where it did not affect the outcome because the state voted heavily democratic. Bush is also not necessarily a legitimate president if you read and believe the legal arguments in Bugliosi’s Betrayal of America. But I will admit that there is a double standard. Kennedy stole the election too and nobody questioned his legitimacy (as far as I know). I’ll be seeing you in Information Retrieval. ---
**Author:** ![JRR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecccb3/32.png) [@JRR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRR)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/82 "2003-03-07T22:22:47Z")
I can’t beleive nobody has cut-and pasted this from [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com): “Usage Note: The pronunciation (nuk-u-lr), which is generally considered incorrect, is an example of how a familiar phonological pattern can influence an unfamiliar one. The usual pronunciation of the final two syllables of this word is (clear), but this sequence of sounds is rare in English. Much more common is the similar sequence (ku-lur), which occurs in words like particular, circular, spectacular, and in many scientific words like molecular, ocular, and vascular.” I asked several people in my office, all college-educated, highly intelligent professionals, and each and every one of them said it “Nuke-u-ler.” It’s regional, and people who get worked up when they hear it pronounced “wrong” need to find a new crusade, such as making everyone say “Feb-Ru-ary.” ---
**Author:** ![phamton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@phamton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phamton)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/83 "2003-03-08T00:33:45Z")
Let me preface this by saying I have absolutely no knowledge of speech patterns. I was born and raised in West Texas in a small town called Lamesa (pronounced La Meesa) which is about 60 miles north of Midland/Odessa (where Barbara Bush was from.) I lived in Lamesa until I left for college in 1970 and developed quite an accent while living there. I have been living in South Texas for the last 14 years and teach elementary school. My students here in S. Texas even think my West Texas accent is funny and claim that I sound like “Hank the Cowdog.” (And, yes, I do pronounce pin and pen the same.) So even in Texas, a West Texas accent is ridiculed. I have been told by some of my out-of-state friends that I say “New-cu-lar.” I **know** that I do not. I say “New-clear.” The “clear” part of the word does have a guttural syllable after the “cl.” I do not have that mysterious syllable when just saying the word “clear” though but only when saying the entire word of nuclear. When my friends have pointed out that it sounds like “new-cu-lar” when I say it, I protest and then purposely say “New-cu-lar” to show then that is not how I am saying it. To their ears it sounds the same when I say: “New-cu-lar” and then say “New-clear.” I hear the difference, but they don’t. I liken it to the bilingual (Spanish) speakers in my area where it sounds to me like they are pronouncing the “sh” and “ch” sounds the same. I hear them say “shicken” instead of “chicken” even though they say they are not. I have heard George W. pronounce it both ways. He usually starts out saying nu-clear and then switches to new-cu-lar. (I am assuming that the new-cu-lar pronunciation is just habit.) But even when he does say it correctly, it sounds incorrect to others outside West Texas. I would’ve thought he would have developed speech patterns from living in Austin and lost the West Texas drawl but my father, a retired chemist, has been in Austin for 33 years and still sounds like a West Texas hick. I have tried to lose my accent but with little success. I have noticed that others tend to pick up my accent after being around me for awhile though. ---
**Author:** ![mystic2311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mystic2311](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mystic2311)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/84 "2003-03-08T00:48:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\* > If “everybody” knew it, then why is it even being debated? > > Oh. I see. Because small-minded partisan irrational dickheads can’t be troubled to make _valid_ criticisms of the man, and instead of debating his politics rationally and intelligently, they simply demonize him because such Jerry Springer-level tactics appeal to the bottom of the barrel of humanity… a subgroup to which they belong. \*\* Exactly! Waitamminnit…did you just insult me? You are so…Proustian. ---
**Author:** ![Daoloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/85 "2003-03-08T04:33:39Z")
The mild irony being that the OPer spelled his German incorrectly. ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/86 "2003-03-09T04:02:50Z")
> [@](#): > > Bush is a dyslexic, ignorant fuck and everybody knows it. Why are you enabling his dry drunk dysphonics? Fuck you. My dad is dyslexic. Just because somebody is dyslexic does not mean that they are “ignorant fucks” like George W. Bush. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/87 "2003-03-09T04:42:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Beagle \* > \*\*Is the larynx an endangered species? \*\* No, you’re thinking of the **Lorax**. _I would not nuke you in your boat, I would not nuke you on your goat, Protracted kvetching is a sham, 'Tis my thought,_ **danceswithcats** _I am._ ---
**Author:** ![mystic2311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mystic2311](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mystic2311)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/88 "2003-03-09T08:31:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blalron \* > \*\*Fuck you. My dad is dyslexic. Just because somebody is dyslexic does not mean that they are “ignorant fucks” like George W. Bush. \*\* Draw a Venn diagram with 2 overlapping circles. Label one circle ‘dyslexics’ and the other circle ‘ignorant fucks.’ Your dad is in the circle labeled ‘dyslexics.’ George Bush is in the intersection between the 2 overlapping circles, since he is a member of the set ‘dyslexics’ AND a member of the set of ignorant fucks. Oh, and you, you are a member of the set ‘ignorant fucks’ but you are not dyslexic. I hope that clears that up. ---
**Author:** ![mystic2311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mystic2311](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mystic2311)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/89 "2003-03-09T08:35:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*mighty\_maxx: It is kind of amusing to note that the folks griping about Bush’s “incorrect” usage of the langauge also are evidencing some “incorrect” usage themselves. In other words: we all speak differently. As Coldfire indicated above, dismissing his policies out of hand because one doesn’t like his speech patterns isn’t exactly a smart choice. > > BTW, mystic: I was under the impression that bush doesn’t drink alcohol. \*\* That’s what a dry drunk is–someone who used to drink alcohol, and the cravings are driving them crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/90 "2003-03-09T15:59:07Z")
Oh, so basically, mystic, you have no real or valid criticism of the man, thus you attack a disease he may or may not have. Quite intelligent, that. ---
**Author:** ![mystic2311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mystic2311](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mystic2311)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/91 "2003-03-09T21:20:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*Oh, so basically, mystic, you have no real or valid criticism of the man, thus you attack a disease he may or may not have. Quite intelligent, that. \*\* I have plenty real or valid criticisms, but that is not what this thread is about. The dyslexia runs in the family and is related to the thyroid disorder that both his father and mother have. That is why George Sr. threw up on the Japanese PM. He hates broccoli because broccoli contains goitrogens, to which he is especially sensitive because of the thyroid disorder. It also might explain why W choked on that pretzel. ---
**Author:** ![Danae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@Danae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danae)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/92 "2003-03-09T21:33:34Z")
Who bloody cares HOW he pronounces words? Who cares how well he does or doesn’t speak??? The main question, is, does he DO what he says he is going to do? The answer is yes. I will take that over Clinton’s blatant lying, and Gore’s lying by omission as well as stupid ass decisions like allowing the sale of a SUBMARINE to IRAN!!! How stupid can you GET??? Gory stupid I guess. Let’s not forget the mushy egotistical liberal Asshole actors who think they know something because they can pretend to be what they are not. Bush doesn’t try to be anything he isn’t and frankly, that is beyond refreshing in the current political climate where most of our leaders try to come across as caring for this that or the other thing that they consistantly voted against until their political advisors told them to polls were against their beiliefs. Look up how Gore used to vote AGAINST abortion, along with Daschle and about 15 other Liberal Democrats. Hense the 180’s that we see all the time in congress. I am sick of it all and I thank GOD that we have a leader who will not only do what he says he will do, but does it because it is the right thing to do. Not just to get elected. We could use a lot more GWB’s in Washington DC. IMHO. Danae ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2003, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/93 "2003-03-10T00:28:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Danae \* > \*\*Who bloody cares HOW he pronounces words? > > Who cares how well he does or doesn’t speak??? > > The main question, is, does he DO what he says he is going to do? > The answer is yes. > > I will take that over Clinton’s blatant lying, and Gore’s lying by omission as well as stupid ass decisions like allowing the sale of a SUBMARINE to IRAN!!! How stupid can you GET??? Gory stupid I guess. \*\* Yes, thank goodness George doesn’t [blatantly lie](http://www.newsday.com/business/printedition/ny-e3142018feb23,0,2678986.story) about things, and didn’t try to [dodge the draft](http://www.motherjones.com/news/outfront/2003/02/ma_217_01.html) or anything dishonest like that. He only has our [best interests](http://www3.sympatico.ca/sr.gowans/scammed.html) at heart. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2003, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/94 "2003-03-10T00:38:08Z")
Danae said: > [@](#): > > Who bloody cares HOW he pronounces words? > > Who cares how well he does or doesn’t speak??? Literate people. People who have heard the eloquence of JFK, Churchhill and Roosevelt. People who don’t like press conferences scripted. People who are aware that language can be used to persuade and encourage. BTW, maybe you should consider taking the “H” out of IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![mighty\_maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@mighty\_maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mighty_maxx)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2003, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638/95 "2003-03-10T13:18:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mystic2311 \* > \*\*Draw a Venn diagram with 2 overlapping circles. Label one circle ‘dyslexics’ and the other circle ‘ignorant fucks.’ Your dad is in the circle labeled ‘dyslexics.’ George Bush is in the intersection between the 2 overlapping circles, since he is a member of the set ‘dyslexics’ AND a member of the set of ignorant fucks. Oh, and you, you are a member of the set ‘ignorant fucks’ but you are not dyslexic. > > I hope that clears that up. \*\* Thanks for clearing that up so well. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-pronounce-president-bush/159638.md?page=4)