Don't "Misunderestimate" George W. Bush

Compu-Serve ^ | February 17, 2003 | Compu-Serve

[Libertina]

Don't "misunderestimate" Dubya. Those verbal Bushisms are beginning to "resignate" with the American people. Maybe they'll even "embetter" the English language.

[paws_and_whiskers]

My favorite Bushism is strategery too.

He seems to have come into his own since September 11th. The verbal gaffs are far and few between and it seems that he now enjoys and even rises to the occasion of important speeches. Just love that little smirk he gets on his face sometimes during speeches.

[McGavin999]

It's a southern/western thing. Most of us say it that way too. Jimmah Carter said it that way and he was in the business.

[Steel Wolf]

Yes, I was hoping to put a few more rounds into him, before the almighty ZOT banished him back to DU. Sometimes I wish that there was a neutral debating area that trolls could be banished to, and teams of FR truth technicians sent to educate them. Most of their arguements fold like a paper bag under even a modest rebuttal.

[Libertina]

BTTT Subliminable! Thanks for adding that. GKhong, my dad is a really smart man, but he will say secetary until the end of his days. Probably what he heard when he was young. But he is an electrical engineer, brave fighter pilot in WWII, built our home, can fix anything, and nice on top of it all. I guess I'll have to "live with" secetary ;)

[F.J. Mitchell]

Bush doesn't have any problem with two letter words though-unlike Clinton, he knows what the meaning of "is" is.

[supercat]

So I got curious and typed "nasdaqued" into Google. 7 results, all from Dictionary.com or article.

If you try "nasdaqed" [no "u"] you'll get a few more results. And for search engines that allow it you'll also find a few "nasdaq'ed".

[bluefish]

I have always liked "subliminable".

I always liked that too. I was thinking at the time that if Clintoon had said "we don't put 'subliminable' messages in our ads," it would not have been a simple slip of the tongue. For the toon, it would have been intentional. When presented with incriminating evidence contrary to his denial, the toon would then coyly say "but I never denied using subliminal messages, I denied using 'subliminable' message - hah!"

[Arthur McGowan]

A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.

[A Citizen Reporter]

I remember that night!

Even AlGore was laughing!

"Bush: "The story of Al Smith's historic run for the presidency is truly inspiring. It gives me hope that, in America, it's still not possible for a fellow named Al to be commander in chief."

Bush: "This is an impressive crowd: the haves and the have-mores ... Some people call you the elites. I call you my base."

Bush: "There's really no place like New York, especially for baseball fans like me and Mrs. Clinton." Mrs. Clinton surprised some when she pronounced herself a New York Yankees fan.

Bush: Making fun of his difficulty in pronouncing names of foreign leaders: "Do you know what this world really needs? It needs more leaders named Al Smith."

Bush: On advice from his wife Laura: "Don't try to be witty, charming or debonaire. Just be yourself."

[Libertina]

You mean put them in an arena and let the (Christian) Lions tear them apart with words? Turnabout! Love your idea! And as I got to initiate the "flush" tonight, I was satisfied as well. :)

[Arthur McGowan]

What drives me CRAZY is "one-year anniversary" and "five-year anniversary," etc.

[bluefish]

I guess you are right. Still not enough to justify making it to the list in my opinion. As for the "'ed" - which SE allowed it? I tried that one in Google and got a bunch of foreing language results!

I've never been cool enough to catch on to new words and phrases. I resist them. Guess I've been old and cranky since about age 21.

[supercat]

What drives me CRAZY is "one-year anniversary" and "five-year anniversary," etc.

That's redundant, but not quite so wrong as "six month anniversary". For anniversary, substitute "celebration-of-years" and see what I mean. BTW, do you like "monthiversary"?

[opbuzz]

Reminds me of my granddaughter telling me of the "watergator" in the back yard, and how Rack,Shack, and Benny were thrown into the "burnace".

[Libertina]

A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.
Beautifully said, Arthur.

Thanks citizen for posting the wonderful picture and witticisms of our President. Even his opponents are charmed!

[Rocky]

Jimmy Carter used to say "nucular", and he was a nucular (nuclear) engineer.

[supercat]

I guess you are right. Still not enough to justify making it to the list in my opinion. As for the "'ed" - which SE allowed it? I tried that one in Google and got a bunch of foreing language results!

Altavista allowed "nasdaq'ed". Didn't turn up a whole lot, but didn't turn up as many as Google on the other variations either.

I've never been cool enough to catch on to new words and phrases. I resist them. Guess I've been old and cranky since about age 21.

The rule #1 of correct English, IMHO, is to be clear. If a neologism manages to say something more clearly than a "standard" word, and is more concise, then IMHO it should be considered acceptable. Of course, most neologisms do not meet both criteria and should thus be avoided. IMHO, "monthiversary" meets both criteria though I've never heard anyone other than myself or my wife use it, when I've used the term in conversation with others they had no trouble understanding it.

[Libertina]

watergator how can anyone be more clear than that?! Cute!

[Diddley]

I'm a new FReeper. Where are you "reading" DamnHippie?

[Porterville]

Bush freed the US from the UN and Nato in a single swoop, so we can move on freely to Iran, Syria, Korea, or where ever the hell we want without the pain in the ass French, Germans, Russians, and Chinese. No problem chasing down rogue states now; in fact, I bet NK will disarm after Iraq, and let the UN back in.