During Tuesday night's Press Conference, President Obama teased a member of the press corps who tried to follow up on a colleague's unanswered question. Obama asked Jake Tapper of ABC News: “Are you the ombudsman for the White House press corps?” Ombuds around the country walked a little taller the next day. (White House Press Office Transcript; LA Times; Hat tip: JZ.)
Related post: Obama and the Future of the ADR Profession; Federal Observers Hope for New Era of Government Openness and Accountability.
Actually, this should not be underestimated. I've had conversations with senior university administrators and even a colleague who think the word is "OmSbudsman." Seriously.
ReplyDeleteHat tip of the Hat tip to Jon McBride.
ReplyDeleteAlso NPR carried this news this morning.
With OPM Director John Berry using the term in his confirmation hearing, and there being no less then seven pieces of legislation moving around the US Capital with the word Ombudsman in them, and the President saying it (and pronounces it right) it is clear that DC is experiencing a significant increase in awareness of the concept.
Wonder where it might lead?
The "omSbudsman" mispronounciation is so common (and can be embarassing when you may not be in the position to correct at the time), that I've seen emails and memos with ombudsman spelled out as "omsbudsman".
ReplyDelete--Indu