‘Banana’ unlikely in inaugural address: Swedish bookmaker

Barack Obama is exceedingly unlikely to mention the word "banana" in his inaugural speech next week, according to a Swedish bookmaker.

Published: 15 January 2009 20:55 CET

But what are the chances of the US president-elect uttering the words “Angela Merkel,” or swearing?

Little to none, according to Swedish online betting site Betsson.

The site has listed the odds of Obama using certain words during his inaugural address on January 20th, with “banana” and (German Chancellor) “Angela Merkel” given 1,000-to-1.00 odds on Thursday.

Lowest odds were meanwhile given to “the United States,” at 1.01-to-1.00 odds, and “change,” at 1.03-to-1.00.

The site also provided odds on the president-elect’s choice of puppy, which he has promised his daughters Sasha, seven, and Malia, 10.

The most likely First Pet was a Labradoodle, at 1.75-to-1.00 odds, and in second place a Portuguese water dog, with 3.00-to-1.00 odds. Least likely were a Shetland sheepdog and a bulldog, at 100-to-1.00 odds.