Legal Writing

Bushisms: Presidential language

By Pam_Nelson

The Associated Press has a piece analyzing how President George W. Bush's personality affected his legacy and a companion piece on the 43rd president's verbal gaffes.

My favorite has always been:

"They misunderestimated the compassion of our country. I think they misunderestimated the will and determination of the commander in chief, too."

The neologism Bushism earns an entry in Wikipedia, which also refers to President Harding's speaking style. Jacob Weisberg of Slate has The Complete Bushisms. Even Queen Elizabeth II once teased Bush about a slip of the tongue.

Of course, we'll have Vice President-elect Joe Biden to fill the gaffe gap.

Full post as published by Triangle Grammar Guide on January 04, 2009 (boomark / email).