We tend to portmanteau the sounds of words so we cut out extra syllables we pretend are extraneous and so live a shortened verbal life.

The French say, “Americans have lazy lips. They can’t say ohnghnn or ewooeughoo.”

We have lazy tongues too. We have trouble with more than two syllables.

Example?

More and more people telescope the syllables from three to two, and “President” becomes “present.” Now, that can make sense. Present of the United States.

It’s just not what we meant.

Or maybe it is.