Bush used the word MISUNDERESTIMATIONS, is that a real word and what does it mean?

Answer 1

Well if you mean will you find it in Webster, then no it is not a real word.

However, given the rules of our Americanized use of the English language, technically it is a word, weather appropriate to its use or not, I would have to understand the context of use. The word would be the prefix and suffix added derivation of underestimate, -tions would indicate multiple occurrences having to do with the same topical area and mis- would indicate in error or inappropriate. The combination of the parts would seem to indicate multiple accounts of wrongfully underestimating related items.

Not the best word, but but as good as many other butchered attempts at expression.

Answer 2

This is actually a bit of an a rather silly word, if he used it. I think he meant to say underestimations, because a misunderestimation would be an estimation or an overestimation. It is, in English useage, a double negative, like,"I don't have none." One negative cancels out the other, creating a positive statement. If I DON'T have NONE, I must have SOME.
If Bush, or his advisor MISUNDERESTIMATED, they must have ESTIMATED.
Or more simply, it is not a word.

Answer 3

No, actually it is not a real word and President Bush knew it was when he said it. It was a play on the his frequent "Bushisms" or Texan penchant for verbal errors.
Bush used the word to make fun of the fact that despite 2 elections where Liberals said he would never be able to win anything, he won nonetheless. "I believe I've been misunderestimated" was the quote if I remember it correctly.

Answer 4

I think President Bush has 'coined' a new word, if it didn't exist before, it does now. I have checked several online dictionaries, my trusted Roget's International Thesaurus (6th Ed), and the website listed below.

Main Entry: underestimate
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: minimize
Synonyms: belittle, deprecate, depreciate, disesteem, disparage, miscalculate, miscarry, put down*, rate low, sell short*, slight, underrate, undervalue
Antonyms: exaggerate, overestimate
Source: Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.3.1)
Copyright © 2007 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.
* = informal or slang

what was he really saying? I don't know. Underestimations seems to be a double negative; i.e, "I didn't not do that" which would mean the speaker DID do something.

Answer 5

Unfortunately that is not a real word, lol but in his vocabulary it probably is. I going to start using that word, I am going to walk around the house all day saying Misunderestimations and I bet you someone will ask me what it is lmao but its not a real word.

Answer 6

Well, let's work through it. Misestimate would mean a wrong estimate and underestimate would mean an incorrectly low estimate, but when you cancel out the double negation I think it has to mean that the intentionally underestimated number was badly calculated.

I don't speak 'Bush'.

Answer 7

It's a word coined by Bush. It's not in the dictionary yet. Maybe they'll add it when he builds his presidential library.

Answer 8

it's definitely NOT a word he's such an idiot how'd he ever become pres.... lol..... i'm guessing it means you know i don't know lol. cause mis means opposite of the word it's in front of like misunderstanding means you didn't understand each other. so i have no clue what that is supposed to mean lol.

Answer 9

It is real word which means miscalculate the real threats (political &military) in Iraq.In other words He confirms that he was stupid and idiot.

Answer 10

It is actually a BUSHISM, it means to mistakenly attribute less than the actual number of something, or in laymen's terms, the real meaning is "OOPS!"