1.15.2009

Thursday word of the day : Elocution

elocution \el-uh-KYOO-shuhn\, noun:
the art of speaking or reading clearly in public, including gestures, pronunciation, and tones

by 1509, from Late Latin elocutionem "voice production, manner of expression," in classical Latin it meant "oratorical expression," and referred to Roman rhetoricians, from eloqui "to speak out."
dictionary.com

Soon the fine art of public speaking will be back in the United States White House. Thank goodness! George W. Bush made me want to scream every time he fumbled in his speeches, using the wrong words and poor grammar. Some of the president's more notable malaprops and mangled statements:

  • "Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?" — January 2000, during a campaign event in South Carolina.

  • "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." — Sept. 17, 2002, in Nashville, Tenn.

  • "Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your introduction. Thank you for being such a fine host for the OPEC summit." — September 2007, in Sydney, Australia, where Bush was attending an APEC summit.

  • "The fact that they purchased the machine meant somebody had to make the machine. And when somebody makes a machine, it means there's jobs at the machine-making place." — May 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.
Okay, there's just too many. We all know at least 10 right? And I swear, just recalling them drops my IQ.

Well, finally, we're 5 days away from saying goodbye to Mr. Bush and hello to Mr. Obama and his proper elocution! Oh I'm so very excited!

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