He may be the second most-important officeholder in the country, but he does not mind when his top aides refer to him as "teachable."

Forrest knew that the "we" the aide was referring to was not just the admiral's staff.

The aide referred to a remark made by the chairman last week as he explained his actions on the reservation.

President Bush and his aides refer to the recent tax cut, almost without exception, as the "jobs and growth" package.

He is missing half of one finger - his aides refer to him as "nine point five" - and swears enough to make a Soprano blush.

An aide to Dr. Sullivan referred all questions to the White House.

But it is a subject Mr. Bush and his aides have rarely referred to in public.

Yesterday, his aides referred calls to the Police and Fire Departments.

His aides refer to the Pataki campaign as "we."

In fact, the President's aides jokingly refer to his standard answer as the "eight-minute filibuster."