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How hard can it be to say the word “nuclear”? Actually, the correct pronunciation is debated. Most experts agree that one pronunciation is correct, but so many famous people say it another way that some dictionaries think both versions can be used.
Steps
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Using the Second Pronunciation of the Word
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1Realize there is another variant of the word. Some people, including some very prominent people, incorrectly say “nuke-you-lerr” or “Nu-cu-lar.”[2]
- The mispronunciation of nuclear is so common that it’s found its way into popular culture. In the 1989 Woody Allen film “Crimes and Misdemeanors," Mia Farrow’s character says she would not fall in love with a man who pronounced the word “nucular." Another version of this is “NOO-kyuh-lur.”[3]
- President George W. Bush, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Bill Clinton have pronounced the word this way in the past. President Jimmy Carter said “newkeeuh.”[4] Homer Simpson still says “nucular.”
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2Decide whether you want to say the word this way. American dictionaries now recognize “NOO-kyuh-luhr” as an accepted variant of the word. That’s not the end of the story, though.
- When a usage panel was convened by Harper Dictionary, members rejected this pronunciation 99 to 1. [5]
- People might be confusing the word with words like “circular” and “secular.” At least one book attempted to argue the presidential versions were actually correct and that weapons labs since WW2 used the “nucular” pronunciation. It’s not a settled issue, though, so if you want to be safe, say, “NEW-clee-er.”[6]
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Community Q&A
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QuestionSo, I can really say this word either way?Community AnswerWell, you risk more people thinking you are wrong if you say "nucular," and they might laugh at you. So, if you want to err on the side of caution, say "NEW-clee-er" and no one can argue the point.
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QuestionWhy are you attempting to justify the obvious mispronunciation of the word nuclear?Community AnswerLanguage changes. There is no "right" way, only more common/less common usages. Some usages carry class connotations.
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QuestionIs the mispronunciation of the word as nucular a new trend?Community AnswerNo, it was found back in WW2 and was even used by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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References
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/13/weekinreview/confronting-noo-kyuh-luhr-proliferation.html?_r=0
- ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/pronunciation/english/nuclear
- ↑ http://www.pbs.org/speak/speech/beastly/#Nuclear
- ↑ http://people.ischool.berkeley.edu/~nunberg/nucular.html
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/13/weekinreview/confronting-noo-kyuh-luhr-proliferation.html?_r=0
- ↑ http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2010/02/18/bush-and-carters-nuclear-pronunciation-might-be-right
- ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/pronunciation/english/nuclear
- ↑ http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/pronunciation/english/nuclear
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