# Thank you, your Holiness. Awesome speech. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 16, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631 "2008-04-16T19:18:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![blinkingblinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/21 "2008-04-16T20:47:49Z")
I do not understand why these lame threads do not get moved to MPSIMS. Bush’s usage of the ‘awesome’ just shows how out of touch he is. The word is only used these days as slang by young people. Most dictionaries would still define the word as -impressive or overwhelming as to inspire a strong feeling of admiration - for at least one meaning of the word. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/22 "2008-04-16T21:00:04Z")
Has anyone other than the OP, **Cynicalgabe** , and myself actually watched the clip? Has anyone other than myself actually watched the [Pope’s speech](http://video.nbc5i.com/player/?id=240859#videoid=240956)? Or is this standard Bush-bashing for which the SDMB is sadly infamous? Bush simply says, “Thank you, your Holiness, awesome speech” and it happenned to be caught by the microphone. It was not a formal thank you. Benedict isn’t as good a speaker as John Paul II, and he’s not helped by his Germanic accent. I didn’t think it that great a speech, but it had some depth and his speechwriters had done their research. I think it will read better than it sounds. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/23 "2008-04-16T21:02:26Z")
[QUOTE=blinkingblinking] I do not understand why these lame threads do not get moved to MPSIMS. Bush’s usage of the ‘awesome’ just shows how out of touch he is. The word is only used these days as slang by young people. Most dictionaries would still define the word as -impressive or overwhelming as to inspire a strong feeling of admiration - for at least one meaning of the word. [/QUOTE] I defy any person to watch the video and try to honestly claim that Bush is using the term in the religious sense meaning inspiring awe. He is clearly using “awesome” in its slang sense meaning outstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/24 "2008-04-16T21:22:39Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] He is clearly using “awesome” in its slang sense meaning outstanding. [/QUOTE] Having listened to the speech I tend to agree but I’m not sure. I’d need to read the text. Benedict made repeated references to America’s history of which it can be rightly proud of doing the right thing defending freedom, from George Washington onwards, and it’s just possible that Bush was referring to that. Anyone got a link to the text? ---
**Author:** ![blinkingblinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/25 "2008-04-16T21:24:01Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] I defy any person to watch the video and try to honestly claim that Bush is using the term in the religious sense meaning inspiring awe. He is clearly using “awesome” in its slang sense meaning outstanding. [/QUOTE] I was not saying he was using it in a religious sense. Try looking up a dictionary. The link still does not work anyway. As I said it just shows out of touch he is. Please could you justify why this is in the pit and not in MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![bannerrefugee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c68b51/32.png) [@bannerrefugee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bannerrefugee)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/26 "2008-04-16T21:26:17Z")
[QUOTE=blinkingblinking] As I said it just shows out of touch he is. Please could you justify why this is in the pit and not in MPSIMS. [/QUOTE] Maybe because it’s critical of GB and will likely end up here anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/27 "2008-04-16T21:35:46Z")
[QUOTE=blinkingblinking] I was not saying he was using it in a religious sense. Try looking up a dictionary. The link still does not work anyway. As I said it just shows out of touch he is. Please could you justify why this is in the pit and not in MPSIMS. [/QUOTE] Sorry, I did not mean to quote you. I thought I hit the other reply button. The link works fine for me. I cannot justify putting this in the pit, but I cannot justify putting it in MPSIMS, either. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/28 "2008-04-16T21:35:48Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] I defy any person to watch the video and try to honestly claim that Bush is using the term in the religious sense meaning inspiring awe. He is clearly using “awesome” in its slang sense meaning outstanding. [/QUOTE] I watched the video when I first posted. I’m sure he meant it as “hey, great job.” I still can’t see any reason to Pit him for it. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/29 "2008-04-16T21:37:02Z")
[Here](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7351148.stm) is the BBC video of the event. It’s rather fuller and shows Bush making a rather good introductory speech. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/30 "2008-04-16T21:39:08Z")
Yeah, much as I hate Bush and his constant malapropisms, this barely even pings my radar. Possibly, it’s because I’m Californian, and out here “awesome” is considered formal speech. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/31 "2008-04-16T22:12:09Z")
[QUOTE=Miller] Yeah, much as I hate Bush and his constant malapropisms, this barely even pings my radar. Possibly, it’s because I’m Californian, and out here “awesome” is considered formal speech. [/QUOTE] Yeah, when we want to be informal we usually say something like: that was soooooooo totally awesome. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/32 "2008-04-17T00:40:42Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] At least he didn’t say, “Popie, you’re doing a heck of a job.” [/QUOTE] Thanks, Bricker, ya made me laugh. [Here’s a link](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080416.wpopespeech0416/BNStory/International/home) to the text of the speech. A very well thought one, specifically to the just causes the USA represents. I can’t figure out why Bush’s speechwriters fell down on this one. It would be a perfect opportunity to expand upon what the Pope said, and voice all the points that make this country great. A very simple echoing of the grace the Pope was voicing about the US. (I’m not Catholic, so no agenda here). So, why just the lackluster,and simple response by the President? I would think that a couple of paragraphs to echo the sentiment of the Pope would be, at least, polite, if not wanting a good political opportunity, in the game sense. What am I missing here? ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/33 "2008-04-17T00:51:36Z")
“Hey, Pope! Awesome speech, broseph!” ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/34 "2008-04-17T01:15:27Z")
_Sigh_ OK, glad he didn’t say “Awesome, Boyz in Da Hood!” Christ. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/35 "2008-04-17T01:28:36Z")
How about “Hey, Your Holiness - that speech was sweeter than an altar boy’s cherry!” Regards. Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/36 "2008-04-17T01:37:33Z")
“Whoa… like, far out, Jesus man! Groovy!” (I don’t think it was intended for public consumption. And wouldn’t _you_ want to be able to say “awesome speech” to the Pope?) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/37 "2008-04-17T01:38:10Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] …How about “Hey, Your Holiness - that speech was sweeter than an altar boy’s cherry!”… [/QUOTE] \*Eewwwwww!\*some, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/38 "2008-04-17T01:49:11Z")
[QUOTE=Queen Bruin] Maybe he mean “awesome” in the original sense of the word? [/QUOTE] If he were going for original meanings, he could have told him it was an “'awful” speech - which once meant the same as awesome. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/39 "2008-04-17T02:23:03Z")
Colibri, would that but a simple E be twixt amazement and horror. Gently told. ---
**Author:** ![Ganryu\_Kojiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Ganryu\_Kojiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ganryu_Kojiro)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631/40 "2008-04-17T03:13:25Z")
Not that it made me particularly angry, but I did have a, “No, he couldn’t have,” moment. It’s the pope, fer cryin’ out loud! Bush always did have that deft touch with foreign dignitaries… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-your-holiness-awesome-speech/445631.md?page=3)