US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is poised to receive the main booby prize at an annual awards ceremony organised by straight-talking pressure group the Plain English Campaign.
Mr Rumsfeld fought off tough competition from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and EU Commissioner Chris Patten, among others, to win the "Foot In Mouth" award, which singles out "the most baffling statement by a public figure".
Mr Rumsfeld, who is not expected at the ceremony, clinched the "top" award for a now infamous statement discussing the problem of "unknown unknowns", which left confused reporters checking their notes hoping to make sense of what he had said.
He was quoted as saying: "Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me because, as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know.
"We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - the ones we don't know we don't know."
Political newcomer Mr Schwarzenegger narrowly missed out to Mr Rumsfeld for his reported comments that gay marriage was "something that should be between a man and a woman".
And more experienced politicians were not immune, with Mr Patten nominated for his reported comment that the Conservative Party was "living to regret" having committed "political suicide".
BBC newsreader Fiona Bruce will also dish out Plain English awards to charities and public bodies for examples of clear communication. Among those in line for praise include publications by the Meningitis Trust, National Osteoporosis Society and Wolverhampton City Council.
PA