Why does Bush keep mispronouncing "nuclear?"?

Question

I've heard people say things like, "it's a common pronunciation in the South," or "no pronunciation is any more valid than another." Nonsense. It's not a "to-may-to/to-mah-to" thing; look at the way it's spelled! "Nu-cle-ar" is not spelled the same way that "nu-cu-lar" would be (if that word existed)! Clearly this is not a well-read man.
It seems to me that he should have advisors and handlers that would tell him of his mistakes (after all, he never said "misunderestimate" again after that one speech in which he coined the term). The fact that he has not corrected it says either: A) His handlers are too intimidated by his defensive, arrogant attitude to broach the subject, B) He keeps forgetting because his brain is the size of a thimble, or C) He's so arrogant he believes he has the right to change the English language and make his pronunciation standard. Personally, I think it's a combination of the three.
Thoughts?

I can think of much more significant faults with this president, but this constant aberration is irksome. He says the word several times in every speech, and he's never said it correctly. Furthermore, I'm from the South and have travelled extensively. Educated people say this word correctly. Period.

Answer 1

It's called an "accent". You will find many different accents and pronunciations once you travel beyond your own little part of the world. True arrogance is in assuming that only "your way" is the "right way". Travel a little. You will learn much.

Answer 2

How clever and witty of you. It must be great never having pronounced any word with any accent or inflection.

Im not sure how you think he can not know he's doing, always forgetting that he's doing it and that its a part of his evil neocon masterplan all at the same time.

He's made jokes about it too so its clear he knows whats going on.

Do you have the same problem with people who pronounce harrassment "hair-is-mint"??

Merriam-Webster dictionary:

"Though disapproved of by many, pronunciations ending in [kjə.lə(ɹ)] have been found in widespread use among educated speakers including scientists, lawyers, professors, congressmen, United States cabinet members, and at least two United States presidents and one vice president. While most common in the U.S., these pronunciations have also been heard from British and Canadian speakers."

Answer 3

Once you ever travel somewhere besides whatever big city you live in, you'll understand. This is very normal in a lot of parts. Our accents and pronunciations vary nation wide, depending on where we live. Just like you would say Louisiana Lou- isi- ana. People in Louisiana and Goergia say
Lu-sana. People in Texas call Potatoes Taters. Instead of saying You All, they say Ya'll. Doesn't make them less intelligent. Just the accent from where they were born and raised. You really should travel to the Southern states. You might learn something beyond your narrowminded little world.

Answer 4

It's fascinating how much people obsess and obsess over Bush's speaking. The fact that he mispronounces a word must mean he is "not well read"? Absurd. He went to Harvard and Yale. Where did YOU attend college?

If the man is as terrible of a president as people claim he is, one would think there are MORE IMPORTANT matters to comment on!

Were you mocking Clinton's ridiculous accent in the 1990s?

Answer 5

some people are incapable of correctly pronouncing certain words, no matter their level of intelligence or education. their brains just don't get the right message to the mouth. they can say the syllables separately, but not together. that could be the case here. I don't know.

Answer 6

is it too complicated to call you an idiot. the guy has an accent that is all there is to it. i had an English teacher from Boston who couldn't pronounce car. when you are in an area long enough you pick up an accent and words only used in that area. i believe that you are too arrogant to admit not all presidents have a british accent.

Answer 7

Thoughts? I think there are way too many IMPORTANT things going on in the world to worry about. Hmmmm..let's see, what ELSE can we sit around and find fault with when it comes to the President. Is this the best you could do?

Answer 8

Probably for the same reason Jimmy Carter pronounced it "nucular". It's part of that southern talk thang. That's how "double-U" becomes "dubya", too.

I think you're straining at gnats to find fault. Not a particularly good or admirable trait.

Answer 9

My thought is you've put way too much time into your thought. Or should I call it a rant dressed in a question.

PS - advisers is spelled with an 'ers' not an 'ors'. Minutia.

Answer 10

The answer is B. And he isnt really from the South. He was born a Yankee but then moved to Texas. Soo dont blame Texans. I know how to say nuclear.