I guess this is just one of those things that the descriptivists will say we should ignore and let it happen: “If most of the speaking population is ignorant on this one, don’t say anything, it’s just the evolution of the language. Get comfortable and take it.”
I’m sorry, I just can’t do it. I can’t let go.
Nucular
I mean, seriously, what century — what millennium — is this?
I heard a guy on the radio the other day. Seemed to be quite erudite. A writer, blogger, commentator, activist. Well spoken. Sounded intelligent on the subject . . .
. . . Yet, he pronounced it “nucular” over and over. And, the host, who I’m quite sure was cringing, said nothing.
Dear Host,
It has to start somewhere. Get in the game.
John
(I’m adding the following on September 26, 2013.)
I’ve decided that I need to change my approach on stuff like this. Instead of acting like the cranky old man, I’m going to tell you what this is really about: This is about my sincere failure to understand how this happens. I honestly don’t get it.
Here’s what I’m talking about. This morning, on Morning Edition, host Steve Inskeep interviewed a former American Ambassador to Iraq. The online edition said former Ambassador to Syria as well. On air, Afghanistan was also mentioned. His Wiki page mentions Lebanon, Pakistan and Kuwait too. Holy crap! This dude’s got some credentials. Yet, he pronounced it “nucular” repeatedly.
My question is simply this. How does a man like this not know how, or not bother, to pronounce this very simple word correctly?
Blows me away that his Wiki page also states that he has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature.
Honest — I don’t understand.
Murdering Words 