Bushism

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George W. Bush.

A Bushism is any of a number of peculiar words, phrases, pronunciations, malapropisms, semantic or linguistic errors and gaffes that have occurred in the public speaking of United States President George W. Bush and, before that, of his father George H. W. Bush.[1][2] The term (a neologism) has become part of popular folklore, and is the basis of a number of websites and published books. It is often used to caricature the two presidents. Common characteristics include malapropisms, the creation of neologisms, and spoonerisms.

Some columnists, including the late Molly Ivins, co-author of a book of Bushisms, have suggested that Bush may have difficulty speaking "Washington English," and that he may be trying to cover his dialect by over-emphasizing words. Some have hypothesized that Bush is not familiar with some of the words that he feels he must use as president.[3]

Bush's misuse of the English language has spawned dozens of books that document the phenomenon. The majority of these books are written by Slate magazine editor Jacob Weisberg. The first Bushism book, simply titled Bushisms, was released in 1992. The Bushism books have been received well around the world, with editions released in Germany, France, and Italy landing on best seller lists.[4] He has also inspired a poem composed entirely of Bushisms entitled Make the Pie Higher, compiled by a high-school English teacher, Dirk Schulze under the psuedonym of "Richard Thompson", as an example of a found poem for his students.[5]


See also

Related linguistic elements

References

  1. ^ Bines, Jonathan (May 1992). Bushisms: President George Herbert Walker Bush in His Own Words. Workman Pub Co. ISBN 1-56305-318-7. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "George H.W. Bushisms". About: Political Humor. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
  3. ^ Kathleen Parker (August 23, 2006). "Intellectually curious George". Townhall.com. Retrieved 2007-03-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Books › "bushisms"". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
  5. ^ "Make the Pie Higher!". Snopes.com. 2002. Retrieved 2006-10-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

Further reading

  • Frank, Justin A., Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President (2004), ISBN 0-06-073670-4.
  • Miller, Mark Crispin. The Bush Dyslexicon (2001), ISBN 0-393-04183-2.
  • George W. Bushisms: The Accidental Wit and Wisdom of Our 43rd President. Ed. Jacob Weisberg. ISBN 0-7407-4456-9.
  • Bushisms/President George Herbert Walker Bush in His Own Words New Republic. Workman Pub Co., May1992, ISBN 1-56305-318-7
  • George W. Bush -- On The Trips Of His Tongue -- A Linguistic Legacy. [1] B. Elwin Sherman. ISBN 978-1430317951.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to George W. Bush.
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