US President George W. Bush is known for having his own way with words. Last week he added to the growing list of "Bush-isms."

Asked for his views on homosexuality during a White House news conference, Bush said it was "sinful." But, "mindful that we're all sinners," he added: "I caution those who may try to take the speck out of a neighbour's eye when they've got a log in their own." (Probable meaning: don't try to solve others' problems when yours are bigger.)

This response was a classical Bush expression - unintelligible. Bush is a president who favours simple, to-the-point replies. When asked questions that require difficult answers, he often finds it hard to express himself.

"He's a person who thinks words get in the way of communication," says Roderick Hart, a lecturer in communication studies at the University of Texas, Bush's home state. "He's a person who believes in direct, no-nonsense chatter."

For instance, Bush said he wanted al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden "dead or alive" and pledged to "smoke him out" of Afghanistan's caves.

"He goes for the crispest, simplest, probably least elegant language," says Hart.

Other examples of Bush-isms are:

"One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures in them."

"My administration has been calling upon all the leaders in the Middle East to do everything they can to stop the violence and tell the people involved that peace will never happen."

"It's very important for folks to understand that when there's more trade, there's more commerce."

"I think if you know what you believe it makes it a lot easier to answer questions. I can't answer your question."

"We ought to make the pie higher."

"It's your money. You paid for it."

"The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country."

"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure."

"I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future."

"The future will be better tomorrow."

"We're going to have the best educated American people in the world."

(Agencies)