Perhaps his undergraduate degree in astronomy came from one of those mail order colleges you see advertised during Jerry Springer?

Get your college degree in only 6 weeks for $19.99! Order now for delivery by christmas! Makes a great stocking stuffer!

Oh yeah, and there was Clam Chowder in the Simpsons. Mayor Quimby's nephew Freddy was accused of beating up a French waiter because he couldn't say Chowder right, but really the Frenchman was a clumsy oaf. But Springfield, MA doesn't have a poorly maintained nuclear plant does it?