Nuclear vs "Nucular"

Factual Questions
21

To clear up bibliophage’s post a little more:

If a word ends with consonant+“l”, then we insert a “u” between these two letters when adding the suffix “-er/-ar.”

As the examples have stated:

Circle does not become Circlear, but Circular
Carbuncles does not become Carbunclear, but Carbuncular

People who say “nucular” analyze it as:

Nucle + ar

So, to follow in the pattern of our above examples:

Nucle does not become Nuclear but Nucular.

Of course, there is no such word as “nucle.” So it’s almost as if a weird backformation is going on here, but not quite.
Like why do some people say “conversate” instead of “converse.” Formed backwards from “conversation.” That’s not exactly the same principle going on here, but it illustrates our tendency to want to regularize words.

22

First off, as disclaimer: I do feel that “nucular” is wrong.

However, language evolves, and perhaps someday “nucular” will be acceptable. Let me offer two other examples:

IRON: We all pronounce this as “i-orn”. Does anyone say “i-ron”?

WEDNESDAY: I’ve always heard this as “wends-day”. I don’t recall ever hearing the “d” precede the “n”.

23

This is just about the only pronunciation error I actually correct people on. Maybe because I majored in international relations - nuclear deterrence (anyone want a copy of the SALT II treaty? Yes, I’m THAT old!)

It especially amazes me when I hear people “in the biz” mispronoucing it. In recent years I have been disturbed by occasionally hearing atomic physicists at Fermilab (a fun bunch!) mispronounce it.

Are some of you actually suggesting that pronunciation of a language by nnative speakers should be considered flexible such that good enough for effective communication is all the standard?

I will agree that certain elements of grammar can change in response to usage, but I think I will have to put my foot down when it comes to clear mispronunciation of words not due to dialectical differences.

24

Library I used to work at had a switchboard operator who pronounced it “lie-berry.” Administration had a word with her about the correct pronunciation of the word. From that day forward she answered the phone with a hyper-corrected, over-pronounced, “Richland County Public Li-BRRRARRRY, how may I direct your call?”

She didn’t last long.

Oh, and as to the OP, you’re talking about a politician, after all. What do you want, brain power?

25

I recall Homer Simpson correcting Captain Tennille when he joins the Navy Reserve.

“Nu-clear, it’s pronounced nu-clear” - H. Simpson

Anyway, why can’t this be a dialect difference? Being from NYC I was asked to say some words that I pronounce differently than a friend.

We both knew the meaning of the words but for example I say “mawth bawls” and she said “Maath Baalls” (She was from Chicaaago)

26

The proper pronunciation of the word was never uncular to me.

27

Re: the mispronunciation of “WEDNESDAY”

Well, I’m from England if that makes a difference, but I feel I do pronounce wednesday more or less correctly.

However, instead of pronouncing it: Wed-Ness-Day, the ‘d’ is pretty much silent. If that makes sense.

So it becomes: We|nsday (the | I used to signify a slight breath where the ‘d’ would go)

I certainly don’t pronounce it :“wendsday.”

Not that I think there’s anything wrong with that, I’m with Keeve on the pronunciation revolution thing.

28

Holy cow, are you ever picky! I would have a hard time distinguishing between these and the “correct” pronunciations in conversation. So I guess you always speak slowly and clearly?

29

I was under the impression that the word referred to tapping the awesome energy sources trapped within the shell of the periwinkle (Nucula sp.).

:smiley:

30

Actually the Navy captain said “nuclear” the correct way. Homer clearly said “nuculer, it’s pronounce nuculer.” The point being that Homer is, in fact, a little dim. Or maybe the point was that people who don’t read the word are a little dim. In either case it was funny and, IIRC, Homer’s idiocy was shrugged off with a “hm, yes” kind of response (a.k.a. the unspoken “ignore the idiot” message). A little unsettling that a person working with nuclear materials doesn’t even know the word.

31

Daddy worked for the U.S.N.R.C. for over 20 years. Man, this drove him around the bend. He was the VERY image of restraint when Jimmy Carter would be caught on camera demolishing the word.

Other things drove him around the bend about work, but he wasn’t allowed to tell us about them. :eek:

32

I have read/heard so many discussions about this in the past week that I am ashamed to say that I was writing the word nuclear out while studying for cell biology and I actually hesitated. :eek:

I don’t know what it is about this week, but I swear this is at least the 5th or 6th time the subject has come up!

33

I just noticed that you might have been talking about the pronunciation of the first vowel in the word. There are two acceptable ways to pronounce nuclear, as far as I know. One is “new-clee-ur”, and the other is “noo-clee-ur.” If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you must be one of those people who pronounce the word “new” as “noo.”

In my dialect, “new” is pronounced with a diphthong, like “nyoo.” I also pronounce nuclear with that same sound. The pronunciation “noo-clee-ur” sounds OK to me, though, much nicer that when someone says “noo” for new. And that doesn’t bother me nearly as much as when someone says “coo-pon” for the word coupon. That’s an irritating one.

34

I’m not so sure I was getting the dipthongs right…I was just saying I heard a politician with a third way of saying nuclear - adeptly bypassing the whole controversy by deleting that problematic middle vowel. I pronounce “new” and “gnu” and “noo” the same…:frowning:

I wasn’t really criticizing Mr. Quayle’s way of speech - just remarking on what I assume to be his accent or way of speaking.