Nucular
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nucular is a metathesis of the word nuclear which represents the commonplace 'NEW-cue-lerr' ( IPA [ˈn(j)uːkjə.lə(ɹ)] ) mispronunciation of that word instead of 'NEW-clear' ( IPA [ˈn(j)uː.kli.ə(ɹ)] or [ˈn(j)uː.kli͡ə(ɹ)] ); in other words, the pronunciation which rhymes not with "likelier", but with "ocular".
This pronunciation is disapproved of by some who consider it a mispronunciation, although most influential dictionaries recognize it to some extent and it appears to be used increasingly. [1]
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[edit] Lexical notes
- "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."
- "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."
- "The pronunciation [ˈn(j)uːkjə.lə(ɹ)], which is generally considered incorrect, is an example of how a familiar phonological pattern can influence an unfamiliar one."
Merriam-Webster receives 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").[2]
[edit] Usage by politicians
U.S. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush have all used this pronunciation[3][4][5], however, it is the latter who has become most closely associated with it due to his repeated use of it.
Jimmy Carter in particular had served as an officer on a United States Navy experimental nuclear submarine,[6] and would have been well exposed to both pronunciations.
[edit] Phonotactical motivation
The principle which converts nuclear to nucular is founded in the phonotactics of the English language.
- By assimilation, the [kli.ər] sequence of the word [n(j)uː.kli.ər] becomes [kljər] in natural speech.
- The consonant cluster [klj] is strongly disfavoured in English: English stops are followed by one approximant at most.
- The disfavoured cluster [klj] is reduced. That reduction is achieved through metathesis ([l] and [jə] are swapped so that [kljər] becomes [kjəl(ə)r]).
This is probably influenced by other adjectives in the science technical terminology that end in -cular (molecular, particular etc.).
[edit] Usage in popular entertainment
"Nucular" is also the pronunciation preferred by Homer Simpson, and his confident use of it in The Simpsons exemplifies a level of cultural information that is largely overheard at some distance, second-hand, rather than read. It is used by Homer for example in the episode Simpson Tide, where he is correcting the captain of a nuclear submarine.[7]
The entire argument was parodied on one episode of Family Guy, in which Peter says to Lois, "Haha! You said nuclear; it's nucular, dummy; the 's' is silent."[8]
The main character of the tv series 24, Jack Bauer, constantly says "nucular."
[edit] References
- ^ Arnold Zwicky (June 29, 2004). The thin line between error and mere variation. Retrieved on October 23, 2006.
- ^ Your pronunciations of "February" and "nuclear" are wrong! How can you say they are correct?. Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved on October 23, 2006.
- ^ Geoff Nunberg. Going Nucular. Fresh Air commentary on NPR. Retrieved on October 23, 2006.
- ^ Kate Taylor. Why Does Bush Go "Nucular"?. Slate. Retrieved on October 23, 2006.
- ^ William Safire. Nuclear Options. New York Times. Retrieved on October 23, 2006.
- ^ Jimmy Carter. Encarta. Retrieved on October 23, 2006.
- ^ Simpson Tide. The Simpsons Archive. Retrieved on October 23, 2006.
- ^ Family Guy:DaBoom. TV.com. Retrieved on October 23, 2006.
