Nucular

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Nucular is an ad hoc spelling of a metathetic pronunciation of the word nuclear, representing the /ˈnjuːkjələr/ pronunciation of that word instead of the more widely accepted /ˈnjuːkliːər/.

While most dictionaries do not list the pronunciation as correct, some recognize it because of its increased usage.^[1]

[edit] Lexical notes

In addition to the above-discussed role of the word as a mispronunciation, there is also a pre-existing though rarely used word in botany, "nucular" which is defined as "of or related to a nucule", which is a section of a compound (usually hard) fruit.^[2]

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:^[3]

"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 United States, these pronunciations have also been heard from British and Canadian speakers."

Oxford English Dictionary:

"The colloquial pronunciation...has been criticized in usage guides since at least the mid-20th century, although it is now commonly given as a variant in modern dictionaries."

Oxford American Dictionary:

"A variant pronunciation...has been used by many, but is widely regarded as unacceptable."

American Heritage Dictionary:

"The pronunciation (noo'kyə-lər), which is generally considered incorrect, is an example of how a familiar phonological pattern can influence an unfamiliar one … [since] much more common is the similar sequence (-kyə-lər), which occurs in words like particular, circular, spectacular, and in many scientific words like molecular, ocular, and vascular."

Merriam-Webster receive enough questions about their inclusion of this pronunciation in the dictionary that it is one of two pronunciations which receive particular mention in their FAQ (along with "February").^[4]

[edit] Usage by politicians

U.S. presidents that have used this pronunciation include Bill Clinton,^[5] Dwight D. Eisenhower, and George W. Bush, as well as Vice President Walter Mondale and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.^[5][6][7]

[edit] Motivation

Steven Pinker has proposed a phonotactic explanation for the conversion of nuclear to nucular: the unusual and disfavored sequence [kli.ər] is gradually transformed to a more acceptable configuration via metathesis. However, Arnold Zwicky notes that [kli.ər] presents no difficulty for English speakers in words such as pricklier. He also regards the proposition of metathesis as unnecessary. Zwicky suggests a morphological origin, combining the slang nuke with the common sequence -cular (molecular, particular, etc.).^[8] Supporting Zwicky's hypothesis, Geoffrey Nunberg quotes a government weapons specialist: "Oh, I only say 'nucular' when I'm talking about nukes."^[9] Nunberg argues that this pronunciation by weapons specialists and by politicians such as Bush – who are aware of the more accepted pronunciation – may be a "deliberate choice". He suggests that the reasons for this choice are to "assert authority" or to sound folksy.

[edit] In popular culture

In The Simpsons, Homer Simpson often says "nucular." In the episode "Simpson Tide", Homer uses it in correcting his Gunnery Sergeant after basic military training.^[10]

In Doctor Strangelove, Major "King" Kong (Slim Pickens), after replacing his helmet with a cowboy hat, declares the beginning of "nucular combat toe to toe with the Russkies".

[edit] See also

• Bushism
• Strategery
• U.S. Presidents IQ hoax

[edit] References

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