It’s time for the language portion of our Language and Composition course to take center stage. Or as the first of Orwell’s rules might have me rewrite that, it’s time for language to enter the scene and chew a little scenery. We start with linguaphilia, a word formed from the Latin lingua,”tongue” or “language,” and phila, “dear” or “beloved.” It means a love of language, of words and phrases, of how we strings together letters and sounds to make meaning—and it is the subject of your next discussion.
Let’s start with the background reading. This topic isn’t new, after all, and I’ve already given you in this post the first (and arguably most influential) modern treatment of it: George Orwell’s 1946 essay “Politics and the English Language.” We’ll spend time with this in class, and it will inevitably shape how you scavenge in the speech and writing around you for words and phrases. You’ve also read Geoffrey Nunberg’s “The Decline of Grammar,” a lengthier argument from 1983 that explores the same issues. After the jump, you’ll find a regular plethora (as opposed to an irregular plethora?) of links to more perspectives, plus your first assignment.
The more contemporary work of lingauphiles must begin with David Foster Wallace, whose 2001 essay on the democracy of English, “Tense Present,” is well worth reading in full; in class, we will glean insight from select passages only. Wallace gives you, along with Orwell and Nunberg, three critical surveys of the language around us, each one striving to articulate the line between form and function, meaning and artistry, grammar and morality, and so on. Read them well; they are your guides to a more insightful consideration of the words and phrases you like and dislike.
Of course, they are not the only background available to you. You might begin with linguaphiles.blogspot.com, a blog devoted to everything from the writing of Stanley Fish to YouTube videos on cursing. You might look in the archives of Schott’s Vocab, a language-based feature in The New York Times; this entry on favorite words is especially germane. One of the more insightful essays on the power of words is this essay on adverb use; its focus on science-fiction belies its usefulness in every kind of writing, from academic essays to poetry. We are likely to study “Seriously, What’s So Bad About Adverbs?” if we have the time.
Continuing in a contemporary vein, you might read about Ammon Shea, the man who read the entire Oxford English Dictionary; this article from The LA Times pulls out some of the best words from his account (and offers you links to buy the book itself). If you are interested in how dictionaries expand their contents, you should look for the lists of new entries that appear each year. This compilation of new words is drawn from various dictionaries in 2008; here is the list for Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary in 2009; and while the aim is decidedly satirical, South Park mixes insight with their crudeness in the 2009 language-centric episode “The F Word.”
Note that our discussion will not be centered around words alone; like Orwell, Wallace, and Nunberg, we are looking at all aspects of the language we use, from idioms to slang to spelling. We will start, however, with something simpler: our favorite words and phrases. In the comments section, provide your favorites, offering a quick explanation as to why. You might turn to the (poorly updated) site My Favorite Word, which has some interesting entries, including a master list of sorts; of course, you should primarily use the background reading to focus your insight. In fact, I will delineate the links embedded in the preceding paragraphs, so that you can organize your approach:
- George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language” (1946)
- Geoffrey Nunberg, “The Decline of Grammar” (1983)
- David Foster Wallace, “Tense Present” (2001)
- Linguaphiles.blogspot.com (~2009)
- Schott’s Vocab: Favorite. Word. Ever. (2009)
- Charlie Jane Anders, “Seriously, What’s So Bad About Adverbs?” (2009)
- Carolyn Kellog, “26 Favorite Words from ‘Reading the OED'” (2009)
- Ben Zimmer, “Dictionaries Roll Out the New Words” (2008)
- Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition (2009)
- My Favorite Word: The List of Words (~2009)
The next post will give you the chance to discuss your least favorite words and phrases, if you find yourself drawn to the critical tones of some of the authors above. You may even use that space for jeremiads (one of my favorite words); for now, let’s celebrate the language we like. Limit yourself to one word or phrase per comment; feel free, however, to comment more than once. Remember to reply to your peers and track replies to you. I’ll model a response for you to help get us started.
One of my favorite words of late is perfunctory, an adjective for something performed merely as a routine duty, without care, interest, or enthusiasm. It has an evocative sound to it, a kind of dull thunk in the stressed syllable, and I find myself using it when commenting on student papers.
That’s a kind of utilitarian word, though, because it does serve me well in grading. Let me give you a word that one is much less likely to use in daily life, not least of all because it so difficult to pronounce: floccinaucinihilipilification, the action or habit of judging something to be worthless. I like the rhythm of its pronunciation, at least with short “i” sounds in the middle, and it has an interesting history, which you can read here. It also might be useful in writing (perhaps a particularly pretentious kind of writing), unlike other needlessly long words, like this apt one, this old standby, or this ridiculous medical term.
[…] the previous post, I asked you to reply in the comments with your favorite words and phrases. This time, the focus […]
I can’t say I have a favorite word because as we have been learning lately language is constantly changing, and therefor my attraction to words will come and go with time. However I digress, as in this age at this moment, I can strongly point to one.
My choice of word, one which my brother introduced my to, is touche. Not only is it efficient, but it sounds beautiful as its origins are French (and what a beautiful language). Beyond that point, I like this word so much because it fits into any situation. If you agree; touche. It you can’t think of something better to say; touche. If you feel the onset of defeat; touche my man, touche. According to dictionary.com, touche is an expression used for acknowledging a telling remark. A telling remark can be many things to many people, and so I say touche.
Since we can include some phrases in this post as well, I will indulged in probably the one of the best sets of phrases in marketing. Marketing what? Orbit gum:
A:”You son of a biscuit eating bulldog.”
B:”What the french toast?!”
A:”Do you think I wouldn’t find out about your little doodoo head cootie queen?”
C:”Who are you calling a cootie queen you link licker?!”
A:”PICKLE YOU KUMQUAT!”
Another favorable term of mine; priceless.
OMG! KAITY! I love those/ this commercial. It’s like the funniest thing ever. I love how all the word they used sound like they would be bitter or curse words, especially with the intonation in the commercials, yet they’re not harsh in the least bit. The actresses basically scream this at each other and the words seem so nasty. If someone called my a “cootie queen” I probably wouldn’t be to offended yet in this commercial they seem like legitimate curse words.
I think that some on the reason why they sound so bad is because they do sound familiar to those notorious curses we all know. For instance “son of a biscuit” sounds similar to (excuse my french) “son of a bitch”.
Whatchamacallit, is one of my favorite words. According to the dictionary I have, it is surprisingly an actual word, though it does say informal next to its definition. I use it a lot as a filler when I start a sentence and have second thoughts about it. I do try not to say it in class but I’m sure I’ve used it before. Whatchamacallit has a ring to it and is flows easily off the tongue. My dictionary defines it as: used to refer to a person or thing whose name one cannot recall, does not know, or does not wish to specify.
Colby, that’s really funny, because I use whatchamacallit like it’s the only word I know. My mom likes to make fun of me for it. So whenever I say “whatchamacallit”, she snaps back with “that’s a candy bar you know”. And while it’s not the most advanced word, its very common among those at a loss for words, so I praise the word.
I like that you chose this word because for me it’s actually one of the words I hate the most (I know there’s a separate blog for that but…still). The word bothers me just because it’s so vague and you have no idea what the person is talking about or trying to convey. And if they’re stumped trying to remember the word it then makes me really impatient because I don’t feel like waiting for them to remember. In the end I just don’t like the word and I’m guilty of doing what Miranda’s mom does to her whenever my grandma tell’s me to “pass the whatchamacallit to whatsername.”
I have to agree with Colleen on this and say that whatchamacallit is also on my hated words list. Maybe it’s from years of hearing it from Colby, but I’m not entirely sure why I have the strong desire to be deaf every time someone even looks like they are going to say the word. I realize this may seem like a bit of an extreme emotionally response to a word but it’s just one of those words that gets under your skin.
As usual, I can’t make up my mind. I have two favorites.
The first being scintillating. Though I rarely find a place to use it, I still love it. I love it because it is one word that sums up everything I aspire to be: animated, effervescent, vivacious, brilliant, clever, sparkling, dazzling and spark-emitting (metaphorically of course, not literally spouting fiery particles). In addition, just the way the word is constructed, you can’t help but curl your lips into a slight smile when you say it.
The second being a phrase: “oh my god.” Actually, I suppose it could be considered a word too if you say it fast, the way I do. This is probably the phrase that crosses my lips the most on a day-to-day basis. Whether I’m expressing excitement, anger, sadness, fear, surprise or anxiety, this ever-present phrase is always applicable. I like that there are a million different ways to say it (slow, fast, high-pitched, softly, loudly etc.) and how each conveys a different meaning that is easily detected in the speaker’s inflection.
Madeleine I have to admit, I use the phrase “oh my god” frequently too! But lately I’ve been trying to say “oh my gosh” instead because some people consider “oh my god” to be offensive. What do you think of this?
OH NO! Lets not bring the religion debate into this blog as well! Although, I try not to say “oh my God” because in the catholic religion its a sin to say the lords name in vain. But I don’t think people should conform to others opinions and beliefs. I try not to say it because that’s how I was brought up, but people should not be offended when others use it. Its a personal choice, and no where in the “laws of society” does it state that you have to follow the rules of other groups when being around them. It’s one thing to be disrespectful, but changing the way you speak and express yourself is not what tolerance and respect is about.
*deep breath*
No, I’m just kidding. No more long winded religious smack downs for me, at least for now haha. As Emily said, using the Lord’s name in vain (as in saying “Oh my God”) is a sin according to the Bible. However, I’ll definitely admit I’m guilty as charged and usually that one slips out without me even thinking (as previously stated, it’s a damn good exclamation). If I’m thinking about it I’ll try to say “Oh my goodness” instead or something.
But Kaylin, I’m with Emily. Say whatever you want, you shouldn’t feel pressured to change what you say by other people. If they don’t want to use that phrase fine, but they can’t force their beliefs on you.
I sense a potential religion debate, I must act quickly. Ohmigod, is not only a frequetly used phrse but it’s one of my favorite musical numbers…
Enjoy.
I agree with Erin, it is quite a song. And it is featured in the broadway version of my absolute favorite movie in the world.
With regards to the religious thing, I would never say something to offend someone in a religious way. And in all my years of oh-my-god-ing (AKA my whole life), no one has ever told me they were offended. However, if someone did tell me the phrase made them uncomfortable, I would honor their religion and not use it in front of them.
I am not very religious at all but for those who are (Brian), I would say that though I don’t use the phrase in a religious way (but if I did), I would see it as a way of praising, rather than taking in vain, a deity. Since the phrase expresses a range of emotions I’m sure that god, wherever he, she or it lives, would be happy to know his/her/it’s name comes up in every type of strong emotional situation. No one says “oh my barbie” or “oh my Britney spears” so clearly in order for your name to become a household phrase you have to have a serious amount of followers, like God who has, if you include all religions, about 5.4 billion people worldwide. I doubt even Lady Gaga could ever get that many fans.
Madz, while I understand your comment, the idea is that God is such a holy name it should not be used in any other context other than praying. When you usually say “Oh my God” you’re not praising God, you’re usually blaming them for some fault. When you spill milk and scream, “oh my god, look at the mess I have to clean up!” You’re blaming God that they were responsible for your own silly mistake. God is such a holy being that they should not be denounced to your miniscule dilemma.
I’m just explaining. I have no problem hearing someone say “Oh my god,” and while I try to refrain from it because I recognize it as a sin nobody’s perfect.
I think that, like any word or phrase, it is a person’s personal choice whether or not to use it in his or her speech. That being said, while people can argue that by saying “Oh my God” you are saying the lord’s name in vain, I don’t think that the phrase holds any religious meaning anymore. To me, the phrase is just another exclamatory statement that I use to express strong emotion, such as surprise, anger, shock, or sadness, like Madeleine said. The phrase was originally used as an oath of sorts, for people to show that they were speaking the truth. I don’t think that this is the case any longer. Do any of you actually use the phrase with for this purpose or intend to make any reference to God at all when you say this? I think that the phrase “Oh my God” has evolved so much from its original meaning that can no longer be taken seriously by theists as sinful or offensive.
I agree Caitlin, the phrase “Oh my God” has lost any religious connection. It has become an interjection. In fact, the phrase, when written out it should be spelled with a lowercase “g,” the reason for that being that “God” has a religious connotation. Religion has nothing to do with this phrase; therefore the phrase should be written “Oh my god,” the word “god” in this phrase is almost meaningless. The use of this phrase cannot be considered a sin, just a simple interjection.
Erin, I am so happy you included the Legally Blonde song in this discussion. I must confess I enjoy it.
Thank you Caitlin for taking the words right out of my mouth. Therefor, I completely agree with you as I feel this phrase has worn away any religious connotation it held in the past. It has been so overly used that when said images of men in robes and beards don’t pass though your mind for a second (unless you are some insanely religious person who feels the lord’s name should never be said in vain). Because people have used the phrase in practically ever possible life situation (“yea I ate the last piece of cake”…”Oh my god I’m going to kill you!” to “there is a test tomorrow on phosphorylation”…”oh my god I am going to fail!”) It’s original meaning, which as previously stated was to blame the lord for something, has been so deflated and misused that it means nothing. It has even made its way into instant messaging; OMG. Now if that doesn’t clearly show it…
P.S. Erin that has to be the most catchy lovable awesome Broadway song, ever.
Though I agree that “Oh my God” has lost it’s religious connection for some, I think that it is a bit of an exaggeration to say that it has lost it’s connection entirely. Caitlin, you said “Do any of you actually use the phrase with for this purpose or intend to make any reference to God at all when you say this?”. I personally know of a few families that find it disrespectful to say this phrase in their homes. My cousins, for one, find it extremely disrespectful. They believe, when you say that phrase, you should be addressing the lord. Granted, they are jahova witnesses and this is a small population, but by asking that question you are relying on an absolute qualifier which, as we all know thanks to Mr. Eure, is a very risky thing to do. Don’t get me wrong, I do agree that it is a personal preference on whether it should be said or not, and in society we should not refrain from saying it simply because of other peoples feelings. The impact of the phrase now is different than before. But I also do feel that it is important to respect others views and not simply say the phrase has changed entirely, because it hasn’t for some.
I completely understand what you are saying Emily. I did not intend to create an absolute qualifier as I was simply trying to ask you, my fellow classmates, who for the most part use this phrase often and liberally, what it means to you in casual conversation. Naturally, there will be disagreement in extreme cases, but for the most part, I think it is safe to say that “oh my god” has lost much of its original impact, especially in the context that it can be frequently found in nowadays.
I totally agree with Caitlin and (crossing my fingers in hope that it doesn’t erupt into another billion page comment chain) believe that the phrase “Oh My God” is not using the God’s name in vain. The conversation we had in class about the use of the “N” word is relevant here. During our discussion we brought up that a lot of words and phrases have changed meaning over the years. I don’t know if the phrase “Oh My God” has ever been used to directly and purposely use the Lords name in vain but the use of it has rid any remains of that.
The thing is, you can’t just focus on the fact that the phrase has the word God in it and seems to direct the message to him in a negative way. You have to understand that if there is no intention of using it in vain than it isn’t in vain.
For example, what makes the word “Bitch” so bad? It’s a bad word when someone intentionally uses it to hurt or offend. Bitch can also mean female dog, but it’s mainly only seen as a curse word.
I think this is the same as “Oh My God”. Sometimes people do direct it to him when complaining about their life but, all in all, I feel that specifically in a way in which it is used to introduce excitement (e.g. Elle Woods) it has no remains of vainness toward God.
Yea, I agree Dan, but I think that by likening “Oh My God” to “bitch” and the N-word you are in a way strengthening the argument that all of these phrases can be interpreted in a negative way depending on the audience and the context. I don’t have a problem with “Oh My God,” but the other two examples have made me more understanding that the way something will be received really depends on the context in which it is given as well as individual beliefs. Personally, I don’t use or support the use of the N-word, because I will always remember its original purpose and connotation, just as I suppose some people don’t support the use of “Oh My God” for similar reasons.
Thank god I don’t have to decide on one, I couldn’t do it!
First off, I love the word ‘muse’ (in the noun form). It’s not so much the word itself, it’s that it sounds like its meaning in an odd, non-onomatopoetic way. Meaning “a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist”, I just think it’s such a specific definition and yet such a vital one. I feel like every artist, be it a filmmaker, fine artist, or writer at some point is creatively inspired solely by a female, whether it be romantic or not. Thus, I like it because it’s encapsulates a phenomenon that would be so hard to define or explain without a word.
I also really enjoy the word ‘zeitgeist’, not because we learned it in class but because, again, it encapsulates a concept that would be so hard to define without the word. Also, it’s such a useful word (and of course fun to say)! Instead of saying “I really wanted to capture that kind of 80’s feel for my party” and then proceeding to list various staples of the 80’s, you can simply say “I really wanted to capture that 80’s zeitgeist”. It just makes things easier with a nice sounding word.
I love the word and idea of a muse. I can’t really explain what attracts me to them so much but they are just so amazing. When I hear muse I think all knowing, wise, and beauty. The muses in Hercules are my favorite; I just love them. But anyways I just thought I needed to comment on this because if I ever write a show or musical there will be a muse!
Yeah…It’s just one of those things. Like there are about 6 million definitions, each representing a life lost in the holocaust…But not actually..Anyway, yeah there are like 4 different definitions that all somehow relate to strong female figures, and i like the greek concept you mentioned as well as the idea of a vehicle for artistic inspiration. And yeah, any good musical has a muse….Or Sybil. One or the other.
I’ll follow Zack and Madeleine’s examples and stick with two words:
Agape – This is actually a Greek word. Fun fact: The Greeks had four words for love, as opposed to our one. Considering all the different uses and meanings love has (and how the significance of our one version has significantly degenerated), I think the Greeks knew what they were up to. Agape is the highest form of love. It is admittedly a very Christian term, referring to either the love God holds for his people, or more generally (to paraphrase the Wikipedia article) a selfless love, a love that is passionately committed to the well-being of others. It transcends everything, and is a very powerful emotion. Here’s the wikipedia link to the Greek words for love, in case you’re interested in reading more about ‘em. (I sure as hope that hyperlink worked…)
Wretch – I love this word; it’s such a powerful, strong noun. It depicts a despicable, loathsome, pathetic creature. A wretch is an outcast, an exile, something that does not belong and is not wanted. It’s cool because it’s homophone (sound alike) is “retch”, which is related to vomiting/gagging. So, by association my “wretch” has the same disgusting connotation as “retch”. Not exactly the perfect everyday insult, but I throw it around when I can (or use wretched, the adjective form).
Brian, I love (no pun intended) that you used the word agape. I was going to use love as my favorite word because it can be used in so many different situations and just by who is saying it you can tell what kind of love they are expressing. Unfortunately, like you wrote, because we only have one word for all different kinds of love it is losing its true meaning. But then again, the true meaning of love is different to everyone. There are a few general ways to use the word though such as between a parent and child, a husband and wife, or siblings, friends and much more. All these kinds of love are completely different but we have the same word to express all of them.
The Greeks were smart when they chose different words for the different kinds of love. My favorite one (found by following your link, which did work) is eros. The reason it’s my favorite out of the four is because it defines what I think is a big part of my version of love between people in a relationship, dating or married, which is, “with contemplation it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, or even becomes appreciation of beauty itself.”
Even though love may be used too often or incorrectly the word still remains special. And that’s something I just, well…love.
[…] Abuse. Spend a few minutes with them; they offer a nice balance to the reading given to you in previous posts, precisely because they are not essays or […]
Eclectic would have to be my favorite word, despite the fact that I rarely ever say it outloud. The dictionary states that eclectic means “made up of what is selected from different sources.” I feel like it describes people in general better than any other word because everyone’s personality is made up of different pieces of everything they encounter. Secondly, I like how it sounds, because it doesn’t just roll off the tongue, you really have to say each syllable.
Sarah, I love this word as well! Although I wouldn’t consider it to be my favorite, I definitely like the way it sounds. The sound of the word and the meaning of the word go hand in hand. I also see this word with a positive connation although I’m pretty sure it’s neutral. Doesn’t eclectic just sound like a “pretty” word?
This may sound childish but that’s okay, because I am a child. My favorite word is “hippopotamus”. Yes, hippopotamus. I’m not entirely sure why I’m so attracted to this word. I don’t think I like it because of the image attached to it. Don’t get me wrong, I find massive tusked African mammals fascinating but I think it’s just the way ‘hippopotamus’ sounds when spoken. In order to say it you have to use your lips, tongue, and roof of your mouth. It takes a lot of effort compared to saying something simple like “toe”. I think it’s an overall enjoyable word to hear and say. In an attempt to avoid strange looks I don’t say it too often. But I’m always on the lookout, searching for the right opportunity to say this fun and happy word.
Sam, I completely agree with you. Hippopotamus is an excellent word. I really like how many syllables it has. It’s almost like when you’re saying it, your racing to get it out, and yet it doesn’t really blur or sound like the syllables mix together. Somehow the lettering works that way? And not only is it fun to say, it looks awesome on the page. All the p’s and the o’s are great. Not to mention that these animals are obviously large, and look, the word is large, too!
Hahaha Sam. Have you ever heard “Flight of the Concords”? They’re a really funny rap group that make fun of themselves. It just reminded me because there’s the one part that goes, “I’m a hiphopopotamous, my lyrics are bottomless”. You’ve probably heard it before.
Sam, that is a good one. Just as Emily stated, I love how the P’s and O’s just flow and mesh together. Imagine how confused a person who spoke no English would feel learning that word. Priceless.
Hippopotamus is just a fantastic word because its so musical. When I say it I hear this like bumbling, bouncing music which I could definitely see a Hippo dancing to… Okay, well now that you’ve been inside my random mind…
I think I must pick two words as well.
The first is the word awkward. I absolutely love this word. According to the dictionary, it means lacking skill or dexterity, lacking grace or ease in movement, and not well planned or designed for easy or effective use. I think I have such a strong attachment to this word for two reasons. Number one, I can be an awkward person. Sometimes different situations that arise can tend to be, well, uncomfortable, and its a nice chip off the back when you can walk away and toss it off as being an “awkward” situation. It takes away the blame, I suppose. I also really like that the word seems awkward itself. It doesn’t flow easily and isn’t really constructed in the best way, and I like how the meaning and appearance match.
My second choice is not a word but a phrase. I really like the phrase “ya know?” Its a conversational tool that I know I use way too much but I don’t really care. It makes sure people understand what you are saying, and sometimes, when silence is of the essence and you are about to have a mental breakdown from the lack of response from an audience, it can be that saving grace to fill the silence and prevent you from pulling your hairs out. Our is that just me?
I agree, awkward is such a great word. You can use to describe almost anything from uncomfortable situations to physical features to sentence structures. Awkward can be used as a noun, an adverb, or an adjective so the ambiguity of this word is endless.
I use the phrase, “you know” all the time as well but I hate myself for it. I use it when I can’t describe something and instead of saying “never mind” I say “you know??” and hope that they understood my vague description of that particular topic so I can move on to explain something else. Most of the time they don’t actually don’t “know” what I’m talking about and is only nodding their head so I can quit talking about it. Or at least that’s how I perceive it.
Yes Kay, I completely agree with you. Awkward is great because of its multiple uses. And you have to love the “awkward turtle” hand motion that goes hand and hand with the word. Mr. Eure, you might not know this motion, but it resembles a turtle. And “You Know” is great too because it is a filler. I agree that it is an excuse for vagueness, and this might not be the greatest word to love, some vagueness isn’t always a positive thing, but I can’t help it. I think my abundant use of the word is what makes me love it so much. I can’t help to think where I would be without the phrase “you know”? I would be a conversationalist without any filler for when things get uncomfortable, and that would not be a fun place to be.
I’m also pretty sure I picked up that phrase from you haha. It’s interesting also, to see how you pick up words and phrases from the people around you. I guess it’s true, the more you hear it, the more you’ll believe it! (Or learn it, or use it)..
Yea! That’s definitely and interesting topic to bring up. People have a tendency to use different words or phrases to explain things, so it only makes sense that you would begin to mimic them if you spend enough time with this person. But what’s interesting is why some phrases and not others? What distinguishes this line. And also, I think its funny how you pick up on ways that people speak. Their body language and hand movement. Does that rub off on you too? Why doesn’t what you see change the way you deliver a conversation, but what you hear changes the way you speak? Like, if you are someone you talks with your hands, I probably wouldn’t start talking with my hands. But if you use a phrase very often, I might begin to use it. This is touching into an area I’ve never really thought about. Talk about a tangent.
I know this will reflect me poorly, but I’m through with judgment. My favorite word is diva. Yes, diva. I use this word in my everyday jargon fluently and abundantly. Diva deriving from divus – divine one, (online etymology dictionary) has become a noun that fits nearly every person I come in contact with. Whether it is an exclamatory in a positive situation, such as posing for pictures with friends; or a derogatory term for someone who just threw a cacophonous fit in the hallway, diva is always applicable. The word was popularized by Beyonce, with her hit single Diva, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNM5HW13_O8) claiming that, “a diva is a female version a hustler.” In this light diva is a positive idea, a woman who is smart and cunning that can earn a living by outsmarting her competitors. However the reason I love the word diva, is because I use it to describe an abundance of people, therefore others have to understand my implicit meaning by the tone of my voice and the context in which the word was used. People have asked me, “is diva good or bad?” and I reply with glee, “Diva is everything.” Because the word is so flexible and malleable it has come to describe various people in different situations, and in turn I can use it frequently.
OMG. I love this. It is so true. Not to mention the fact that “diva” can also be a verb. One can be described as “diva-ing around” (past tense: diva’d). It is a fantastic word and I agree you can use it anywhere.
It is particularly effective if, after you speak the word; you strike a classy pose.
I have to admit you two, unfortunately, (please don’t kill me) I hate this word. I absolutely hate it. I just picture someone pointing and going “div-a” in that way that exaggerates the “a” and I cringe. When I think of the word, it comes with a negative connotation. Words like selfish, spoiled, and princess-like come to mind. I don’t know if this is the wrong interpretation, but to me it symbolizes someone that embodies these words. I don’t know if this is right, and it probably is not. I think what bothers me the most is that I DON’T know if it’s right. You both state that it’s such a great word because it has so many meanings. I think this is why I hate it. Please elaborate a little, because I would love to understand the obsession. As of right now, I don’t. It’s used in the same way as “classy” which I also hate, and I am pretty sure you two love.
Emily, I understand you’re confusion and frustration. The reason I became obsessed with the words classy and diva are because they are used so frequently by people in our school. I started using diva to make fun of the girls in our school who took it seriously when they referred to themselves as divas. They wanted to convey that they were better than everyone else because they were privileged with luxurious items and were self obsessed. I use diva in a sarcastic tone, I don’t actually think I am a diva; I use it because the girls who are using this word seriously are out of their minds. Classy came about in a similar fashion; one day Dan and I were eating lunch when a peer walked by dressed in sweats and was shouting profanities, Dan turned to me and said, “God I love how classy our school is, I mean right there, class.” I laughed hysterically because this student was embarrassing themselves, and they were tremendously without class. When I say diva or classy I use it humorously, however that is why I love them so much, they have become my own personal inside joke.
OH! Now I understand. The negative connotation wasn’t as far fetched as I had thought. I guess what threw me off was when you stated ‘People have asked me, “is diva good or bad?” and I reply with glee, “Diva is everything.” ‘ I couldn’t think of a time when Diva could be used without the sarcastic undertones. I guess I was out of the loop. But thank you for clearing that up Erin.
Emily, the reason I said, “diva is everything,” is because I think it’s hysterical. I know I’m the only one but I have to get my kicks somehow. I like that diva is mine. That I use it to bring myself joy, maybe that’s cruel but I feel good that I have a word I can use at my own will to accomodate my needs.
So the word that I absolutely love saying because I tend to talk on and on until I am out of breath and can’t make a point to what I’m trying to say is “net-net”. This is a finance term and can usualy be used in the workplace, yet like most words, it can easily be used in everyday life. So next time you feel like your rambling, pause, take a deep breath say “net-net” and make your point. It might solve a lot of confusion and keep whoever you’re talking to interested.
Another word that I love is “caucasian”. The very first time that I heard this was on CSI when I was about eight and I’ve loved it ever since. According to dictionary.com, caucasian refers to the “white” race in 1795 in Germany.If I don’t want to refer to somone as black, I refer to them as African American, and I do the same for white people, caucasians. I also love the way that this word is pronounced because whatever accent you may have, it still sounds so much more interesting than, white.
Michele I love that one of your favorite words is Caucasian. I know it’s hard to admit but I must own up to the fact that I like it too. It is just such an interesting word. There are so many different types of ways to describe a person and white is just so plain and pedestrian. Caucasian is almost a smarter way of saying the same thing and that is something that is appealing about the word. Maybe it’s all the CSI (and their constant use of the word) or the strive to be anything but ordinary that makes Caucasian appear on my list of favorite words.
My thoughts exactly! :)
I must say that Caucasian is a nice word, but it is not a favorite. Not to make myself seem racist, but you both expressed how you feel the word “white” is plain, boring and/or pedestrian which I don’t agree with at all. It may be simply, but I feel better saying white. This, again, has no racist affiliation as those who are white should be proud to say that they are white, not Caucasian. According to our trusty sidekick Wikipedia, “Caucasian can be used to denote the general physical type of some or all of the indigenous human populations of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia.” If you want to be politically correct, many people feel the need to say “Caucasian” over “white” but in technical terms you may be trying to refer to a French type of Caucasian, not a Kyrgyzstan type. In such instances, the simple word “white” I feel is quite sufficient.
On a different, and interesting, note i also discovered on Wikipedia the origin of the word. “Caucasian race” or “Varietas Caucasia”, expressed around 1800 by Johann Friedrich Blumenbach caught my eye as I would think no one knows it so i will share. Apparently Johann believed, and i quote “Caucasian variety – I have taken the name of this variety from Mount Caucasus, both because its neighborhood, and especially its southern slope, produces the most beautiful race of men, I mean the Georgian; and because all physiological reasons converge to this, that in that region, if anywhere, it seems we ought with the greatest probability to place the autochthones (birth place) of mankind.”
As I said, interesting.
So today your sister used net-net while she was talking to me and a group of people waiting on the lunch line. She was saying a bunch of stuff and said net-net so quickly that it just popped out of her mouth! I remembered seeing the word on here from you so I came home and quickly checked your post and found out what it meant. Well knowing the definition, it made sense when she used it and it sounded cool. I’d never even heard it before!
you learn something new everyday, and it’s more of a business term, but I’m glad you ran home to look it up :)
I have to admit one of my favorite words is misanthropic, or misanthrope – meaning a hater of humankind. It’s a weird fascination I have with words that are heavily charged with negativity and hatred. Though it’s not very versatile, and almost always has to be used in an exaggerated sense, it’s a great word to have in the bank.
I also love maelstrom. This, unlike misanthrope, is versatile. You can use it to describe any number of events that are afflicted by chaos or disorder, and, if you happen to be writing about oceanography, you can use its literal meaning as well. The first time I heard this word was in a Stone Sour song(if anyone knows them, +100 reputation points with Luke Useted), and since I’ve gone out of my way to use it whenever possible.
I’ll now spout of a few more words that I love, and go out of my way to use in conversation as well as writing; perhaps I’ll elaborate on them at another point.
Ambivalence, malevolence, benevolence, animus, myriad, veritable, touché, facet, the phrase “terminate with extreme prejudice”, anachronistically, this is so stupid it practically drools, metaphysical(Brian rekindled my love for it in his blog posts), almost all of leet(1337) speak, and lastly et al.
Thanks everyone for informing me of words I had forgotten, or wasn’t aware of, specifically floccinaucinihilipilification, I particularly like it because not only does Firefox not recognize its existence as a word(spelling suggestions were vilification, exemplification, oversimplification, and simplification. Firefox, you dropped the ball on this one, those weren’t even close), but even dictionary.com notes it as rare.
The more I read, the more I’m convinced we’re subconsciously the same person :P
Misanthrope was legitimately the third word on my list. I freaking love that word, since I find quite appropriate this day and age… especially for describing myself haha. Maelstrom is also a great word. Touche, malevolence, and obviously metaphysical are also towards the top of my list. You, sir, have good taste ;)
I love misanthrope, if I can find any situation where it fits, I’ll use it. Also, I enjoy misandrist , and misogynist. Instead of a hatred for all humanity, they are for males and females, respectively.
Also, there are a few phrases/word from A Clockwork Orange I would mention for anyone who has read it(I’m having Sam Dejean read it now but she’s a slacker and isn’t finished!) I couldn’t really say them to anyone who hasn’t read it because the novel is written in a language that Burgess almost entirely makes up. The writing is so great because the violence is almost entirely implied. But, I’ll stop professing my love for Clockwork until someone who has read it can appreciate it :P
And as far as the subconsciously connected part goes…. what am I thinking of right now?
I’ve never read the book, but I watched the movie some years back (can’t say I remember much of it). Is it worth the read? If I can recall the general vibes I got from the movie, the words in that books must be fantastic then as well haha.
Touche. Perhaps my exclamation was slightly hyperbolic /understatement :P
The book is excellent. The movie is an accurate representation of how good the book is, but the movie does not include the last chapter of the book, which changes the message dramatically. It’s a short read, just requires a Nadsat(what the language in the book is called) to English dictionary, and some patience. When you’ve got the free time you should check it out.
Luke, I have to say just reading through your post I loved just about every single world you used. they all have such interesting sounds and meanings. Charged words are so great because of their power and I think that some of the strong letter pairings (there is probably a better way to say that, sorry) in words such as maelstrom, malevolence, benevolence etc. enhance the strong meaning behind them.
P.S. in reference to maelstom, i believe the song is 30-30/150? I’m a HUGE Stone Sour fan!
Ahhh, Nadsat! It’s coming back to me now hahaha. I’m remember Sam West explaining all of this to me. I’ll certainly check it out when I have the oppurtunity (and not doing last minute reading for my English class ;) haha).
Thanks Luke, for calling me a slacker.. haha but you’re right I should probably finish that soon. But, from what I’ve read so far, A Clockwork Orange is filled with tons of interesting and cool phrases made by Burgess. If it weren’t for these words I wouldn’t have to search through the Nadsat Dictionary every other line, this may be the reason it’s taking so long to read. But, i think it’s fun to find the meanings of these new phrases and words. I actually think we should pick up some of his language and start using it. Words like “droog” and “chelloveck” are ten times more interesting than saying “friend” or “fellow”.
Almost forgot to mention the phrase torn between Scylla and Charybdis. It has origins in ancient mythology, Scylla being a multi-headed monster(similar to Cerberus, but Scylla is a sea monster) and Charybdis is a maelstrom. Both were in a relatively close vicinity of each other, and sailors had to pass between the two. Essentially, the phrase means the same as the phrase “between a rock and a hard place”. The former just sounds better, if you ask me.
The former also has the benefit of being hopelessly archaic and vague to anyone who isn’t well versed in the story of Odysseus :P But again, fantastic taste. I love the obscurer elements of classical mythology.
First I’d like to say that I LOVE this topic because words in general fascinate me. There are so many different ways to get someone’s point across through different words.
The first word I chose is Flibbertigibbet. Trust me everyone, it is a word. It’s defined as a chattering or flighty, light-headed person, or a gossip. I love this word because it sounds so random and crazy. It also seems like a word that would be very difficult to use in everyday conversation (and I always love a challenge.) The long string of sylables makes it very unique and fun to say. You want to say it so fast, which makes it sound like people talking fast (like most gossip is passed around) so I find it fitting. As a little bit of fun try saying it 5 times fast and you’ll understand how amazingly tongue-tying it is.
Another word I really like is meh. I think this word can relate to Madeline’s explanation of “Oh my God!” In my opinion, it can be a word, and emotion, a lifestyle, an expression and just about everything else under the rainbow. Meh is defined as “an interjection, often an expression of apathy, indifference, or boredom. However, it can also be used to indicate agreement or disagreement. It can also be an adjective, meaning mediocre or boring”. Wikipedia indicates that it really sprung up after its repeated use in “The Simpsons.” BBC news even used the word as one of the 20 words which defined our last decade. Another interesting thing I want to bring up is that in my background research of the word, I came upon the Egyptian goddess Meh (also known as Hathor) “who personified the principles of love, motherhood and joy.” So much from three little letters! All of this just shows how “meh” can become whatever you want it to be, which I think makes it so fantastic! I also feel that meh can be interchanged with mer because in my own definition of the word, they mean the same (technically it’s only a suffix.)
The final word I will use for now is “curmudgeon.” I just learned about this word a few days ago in a 7up commercial with Brad Garrett (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCNjtFKv1tI). The word “Curmudgeon” means, “A crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas.” I even love the explanation of the word. I love how it sounds and how you can seem to portray the word when you say it (Try saying curmudgeon and you’ll probably feel the urge to scrunch up your face and say it with a grumpy attitude. Well maybe it’s just me…) I think it’s interesting that it begins with a C instead of a K though; I feel a K would fit better.
I couldn’t further reply to your post from earlier, so I’ll reply here. I would only like to say thank you for loving Stone Sour. I’ve heard rumors that they are recording and should have an album out late this year.
Corey Taylor is also the lead singer for Slipknot(if you listened to them, and I was of the age, I would probably go into cardiac arrest) and in both bands, he writes most the lyrics. He’s no stranger to charged language, phrases and entire verses.
Corey Taylor and Maynard James Keenan of Tool/A Perfect Circle write some of the best lyrics I’ve ever read/heard. Too many bands write about money, fame, and drugs. Taylor and Keenan combine excellent musical composition and influential lyrics masterfully.
I hope the rumors are true, I’d love to hear some new music out of those guys. Their music off Come What(ever) May is just fantastic.
As for slipknot, don’t bust a coronary or anything but I do listen to some of there stuff, though I’m not a full blown maggot. I totally know what you mean about their strong language. It really helps in getting their focus across in their music.
I’m not too familiar with Tool or A Perfect Circle, I’ll deffinitely have to check them out. I absolutely agree that too many bands have worn out the generic topics of Rock music.
I was reading over these comments and saw A Perfect Circle mentioned and stopped dead in my tracks. While I must admit I’m into a lighter rock genre A Perfect Circle totally blows my mind (and makes me want to cry). The song Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums is amazing! If your into over five minutes of hardcore alternative music mixed with sounds from political speeches, horror movies and possibly porn, you must listen to the aforementioned song. Favorite phrase/lyrics would be, “I’ll be the one to protect you from a will to survive and a voice of reason.” Luke, great choice I love the entire song because the lyrics are so powerful and convey such a strong message (although I’m not quite sure what it is, I absolutely love it). Sorry, Mr. Eure I’m sure you’re not concerned with this off beat comment on a band rather than linguaphilia, but it was completely necessary(in my eyes at least).
I promise this will be my last digression(I don’t really promise this). The members of A Perfect Circle and Tool have several other side projects, and if you enjoy either one, you’ll love Ashes Divide. It’s not the same lead singer(Keenan) but the music is excellent. Also, Ashley, I love that you listen to enough Slipknot to refer to their die hard fans as maggots.
I suppose I’ll at least mention a words I love here. Xenophobia. It does not mean what you think(fear of Xena warrior princess turned man). It’s the fear or hatred(unreasonably) of foreign objects or people. I love the word because it’s relatively new, and the definition notes it as unreasonable. It’s also incredibly common amongst most people; by nature we fear what we do not understand.
Finally, I couldn’t resist but to mention some words from the Nadsat language. A cigarette is called a cancer, which even without context clues in pretty evident. Even with the nature of the teenagers that use this term, they still have no problem calling a cigarette cancer, when it is them who is the cancerous cyst on the hide of society(even if I did grow to enjoy every aspect of Alex’s personality, everyone else he was around was intolerable). Malenky, which means small. It originates from a Russian colloquialism, and it’s an incredibly fun word to say. Lastly, razdrez. I’ll give you a second to think about how weird this word sounds, and to read it over and over again in a book will drive you crazy and intrigue you at the same time. It means upset, or upsetting. This language is part of the books charm. If anyone is curious to just how strange some of the other words are, here’s a google link to the nadsat dictionary. http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=nadsat+dictionary&aq=f&aqi=g-m1&aql=&oq=&fp=3d121c88310e67e3
Enjoy!
P.s. Erin, I listened to Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums when I wrote this, next to 3 Libras, The Noose, and Judith, this is their best song.
So I was thinking about the word maggot today for some reason and it reminded me of how much I love that word, specifically in the way in which slipknot uses it. This also refers to another musician, Lady Gaga who refers to her fans as “Little Monsters.” When you originally hear someone call another person a maggot or a monster you would think this is a very negative thing. These musicians have taken this and made quite an ironic statement by refering to their die-hard fans in this manner. This odd oxymoron (i think?) if you will is so interesting and odd and I love it.
Ashley haha there are no funnier or crazier word that i could think of than flibbertigibbet. I always enjoy a good challenge in the sense of ending the conversation in an unusual way. Flibbertigibbet i know for a fact that i don’t use a lot but occassionally i will hear that word, and when i do, i can never help but laugh. That word can take an everyday description and transform it into something so random that some people would just laugh at the sounds of it (someone like me only because i laugh at practically everything). Yes i do laugh at many words but whenever i hear this word i love it and its like once you hear a word that you laugh at, you simply can’t stop.
I feel that I’m going to need multiple posts here in the near future…
‘Phantasmagoria’: Not only does it sound amazing, it’s fun to say, too. It’s defined as “A fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as seen in dreams or fever.” Similarly, the term ‘phantasm’ (apparition/specter) is a good one, as well.
‘Grotesque’: Today we know this word to simply be an adjective describing something hideous. Its history, however, is quite interesting. It comes from the Latin word ‘grotto’ (small cave) and was originally a noun. Grotesque referred to a decorative style of Ancient Roman art that was characterized by fanciful human and animal forms that were distorted by being interwoven with foliage. This link better details grotesque’s history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grotesque
‘Irk’ is another word that I strive to use in my conversations. I simply find it more interesting to say that “This irks me”, rather than “This is annoying”. Likewise, ‘irksome’, the adjective form, is lovely as well.
‘Suss’: Ok, so I haven’t had too many opportunities to use this in a conversation, but it’s been in my vocabulary arsenal, just waiting to jump out of my mouth (Did that sound strange to anyone else?) It’s good ol’ British slang and simply means “to investigate or figure out”.
‘Svengali’: This actually entered the English language thanks to the novel Trilby by George du Maurier, written in 1894. Svengali was an evil hypnotist that even continued on to be portrayed in numerous silent and talking films. The word itself is defined as “a person who manipulates or exerts excessive control over another”.
I really like the word grotesque as well. I think the word itself conveys a powerful image. It’s interesting how the word orginated from an art term although I don’t really see the connection.
It could be better connected, perhaps, with the Ancient Roman name for grotesque art (‘grotteschi’). This term was given when the Romans rediscovered the art on the walls of the underground chambers of structures such as the Domus Aurea and the Baths of Emperor Titus in the early 16th century. Since that style of art was found in these ‘grottoes’, it became known as ‘grotteschi’. I’ve never taken Italian, but it seems to me that ‘grotteschi’ may have a slighty similar pronunciation to ‘grotesque’.
It would be interesting to figure out exactly how the two meanings connect, though.
First off I like the fact that you brought up the word ‘irk.’ I find this word amusing since it seems that we all use it more often than we think. At first it’s kind of awkward to use in conversation, but after a while you get used to it and are using it in daily conversations. The fact that it is just a change from the norm of everyday speak makes the word interesting to me.
I have to say that I have never heard of the word ‘Svengali’ (I’m not even sure how to pronounce it!) but I found it interesting when I read your post. I like how it was derived from a person’s name and turned into a word to describe a manipulative person. Now it’s my gaol to work this into a conversation with one of my friends one of these days.
I never use the word “Phantasmagoria” yet it caught my eye due to a commercial I have probably seen 100 times where they use it in another form, “Phantasmagorical”. And in such a commercial, it gets my applause.
As we were talking about earlier today, phantasmagoria is such a cool word. It sounds awesome and it seems as though the definition picked the word and they fit perfectly. Does that make sense? It’s like the sequence of this wild imagery could only fit to a word just as wild. When we talked about the word earlier today I imagined it to start with an ‘f’ so it would be spelt fantasmagoria, which made me think of fantasy and helped me develop a better interpretation of the word. Even though I see it’s not spelt that way now I have accepted it because I still understand. Although now I’m not sure if it would still look as cool as a tattoo..hmm, it’s funny that changing a couple letters makes it look so different to me.
Also, I had no idea about the history of the word grotesque. How interesting!
Rebecca, surprisingly i agree. I feel in some sense, grotesque is a word that intrigues me in a certain way. When I talk to people and they say something is grotesque, you want to know more about it because they described it in a certain way that entertains you and pulls you in. As for the history, i feel very informed because never did i know where the word grotesque cam from, and now i do know.
My favorite word is ‘random.’ I use it all the time and use it to describe just about anything. Whether it’s in response to a conversation I’m having, classroom discussions (“Why was Holden crying at that carousal? That’s so random!”), or pointing out events happening around me- I’ll use it, even if something wasn’t even random at all. I think the reason “random” is my favorite word ties into Sarah’s reasoning for having “eclectic” as her favorite word. She said, “it describes people in general better than any other word because everyone’s personality is made up of different pieces of everything they encounter.” This coincides with the word random, because everyone can be considered random since we all have different habits, tendencies, styles, and you could probably stretch it as far as appearances too.
Also, I love the word because before starting this post I looked it up via Princeton’s dictionary and the example they gave for the word was, “Bullets were fired into the crowd at random” and it made me laugh since that’s such a negative and *random* thing to have.
I can’t believe of all the examples the dictionary could give they chose such an awful and shocking scenario. Not something innocent and indifferent like “she chose the shirt at random” but an extremely negative example. That gives me reason to just pause and wonder why on earth would that be the example chosen? What does that reveal about our society? While I may not use random in a negative connotation entirely too often I have to admit that I can be known to use the word in excess when the situation arises.
No offense, which, admittedly, I say partly with the intention of annoying the people who were protesting against it on the other blog, but I think that you are overreacting a bit, Christina. Dictionaries just want to switch up the sentences a bit to keep them original and interesting, but also portray the word accurately. With the estimated 200,000 words in the dictionary that require an example, I guarantee that there are plenty of more insipid, “she chose the shirt at random”-type, sentences to suit your fancy. This in no way “reveal[s]” something “about our society.”
I understand what you are saying and I’m sure your right but I was just completely distracted by your use of “suit your fancy.” That is another phrase the absolutely adore and I love using it and hearing someone else use it. I’m sure whatever you said was valid but I kind of lost sight of it after stumbling across that phrase. gqa
Christina! I almost typed that at the end of one of my other posts and then realized that this is not the place to confuse people with made up words/acronyms, not that there aren’t enough of them here already.
I know that I shouldn’t have included in my post but I just couldn’t restrain myself. And it actually fits perfectly in a response about things being random.
I also find myself consistently using the word random. Random i feel is a word to put in place of another adjective when you’re unsure of how to describe it in any other way. I enjoy this word particularly because it is an adjective that can describe most nouns in some sort of way. Different styles, appearences as well as habits can always be described with the word random because it fills that required description without sounding confusing. Also, i find it very usual that today for events that occur to also be described with the word random. Haha i’m never sure as to where random came into place as an adjective, but it’s one i use very frequently.
After reading all of these great words, my word seems rather dull and un-amusing, but neither the less, my favorite word is dazzle. Honestly, I don’t know why I love it, or how I even heard of it but it’s a word that people don’t normally use therefore I love it. The definition of dazzle is “to overpower or dim the vision of by intense light”. However when I use this word I use is more as an adjective like “Wow that’s dazzling!” I wish I used this word more often to be honest, but not many things I see are dazzling therefore I get really excited when I get to use it.
Ha and this might sound stupid but I also love the word classy. I wasn’t going to use this, but I feel bad because to me, dazzle and classy go together. As you can probably already tell, I love adjectives. I love saying words that when I say them, people turn their heads and go huh? I know more people say classy as opposed to dazzle, but I still love the both of them! Classy is defined as, “of high class, rank, or grade; stylish; admirably smart; elegant.” I love the definition because it’s exactly how I use it. For example, if one of my friends looks nice, I’ll say “Lookin classy.”
Both of these words are just so fun to me! I love saying dazzle and classy; I know they’re adequate words but to me they’re my favorite!
I happen to love these words too. Both of them. I totally considered dazzle as one of my favorites too! I especially love dazzle because it is so positive! Someone can look dazzling in a dress or be dazzled by a surprising occurrence. And the image conjured by “dazzle” is sparkly and glamourous, which is great. I am also a fan of the word bedazzled, meaning to baffle or astound in most cases. But to me, something that is bedazzled is covered in shiny gems! To quote 17 Again, “It’s bedazzled… with rhinestones!”
And obviously I love classy because it can be used sarcastically for a hysterical effect or politely for a tasteful effect. My dad gets kinda mad when I over-use the word around the house so I found a few awesome synonyms for it including: tasteful, upscale, swanky, chic and my personal favorite, to-the-nines.
As I have previously expressed, I don’t really like the world classy. Sorry Colleen! Though I do really like the word dazzle, not only is it fun to say, but the things it describes are excellent. The thing that I like about dazzle, and doesn’t follow through for classy, is the fact that dazzle isn’t used very often. I like that you truly have to search and find something that fits the definition. The word has meaning, it stays in tack. Classy, on the other hand, is overused. It loses its definition because of the way people use it. I like the definition of classy, but I can’t use it without thinking of the way it’s used sarcastically, and to me the word has adapted a negative connotation all together. It’s hard to distinguish when people are being sarcastic, and when they are actually referring to the actual definition. I want the word to be used accurately, and as of so far, it has lost its actual meaning.
I’m so stupid, I started a new post which was meant to be a reply. So just look under this because it’s suppose to be a reply. Sorry!
Madeleine, I cannot express to you how funny your comment was, “to quote 17 Again…” I’m sorry if this is off on a tangent but I must assess the humor in that sentence. Congrats on a job well done, you made my day.
Madeleine and Emily I couldn’t agree more with your expressions toward the word dazzle. Madeleine I especially loved how you said, “I especially love dazzle because it is so positive!”. That truly made me smile because you couldn’t have said it any better! You also mentioned bedazzled. For something to be bedazzled though, it makes me think of those little arts and craft toys that are used to stick 1000 little rhinestones on items to make them look “pretty” haha, which is completely opposite of what I like about the word, but neither the less, it’s true. Also, Emily I completely understand where you’re coming from. Classy is most definitely an overused word (we can use Madeleine as an example with her situation stated above). People use it sarcastically probably more than they would use it to give a compliment. However to me personally, I just like the way it sounds. I think it truly depends on who you are talking to, and where the statement is coming from. Depending on the situation it can be sarcastic, hurtful or a compliment, which is why I like dazzle better. It’s just a much less complicated word that has a much more positive outcome when said.
I would have to say that “newbie” is my favorite word, meaning an inexperienced newcomer in a group, place, activity, ect. It can also be shortened to “noob.” This word’s meaning can vary because someone can be called a “newbie” just to indicate that they are new, or it can be used as an insult to a person who is not new, but hides the fact that they don’t know what they are doing. I’m not sure why but I find it amusing to say and I like how it sounds. It sounds funny and doesn’t seem like it is an actual word.
I love the word “noob”! Did you know it’s considered an insult on online games when someone says it to another player? It actually makes players quite hostile… as it basically means that you suck at something. I like how the spelling can vary from “noob” to “nub” to “newb”, “n00b”, etc. It’s also sort of funny how each spelling of the word can mean different things, for example:
“Newbs are those who are new to some task and are very beginner at it, possibly a little overconfident about it, but they are willing to learn and fix their errors to move out of that stage. n00bs, on the other hand, know little and have no will to learn any more. They expect people to do the work for them and then expect to get praised about it, and make up a unique species of their own.”
-Urban Dictionary
I completely agree with both of you! I too enjoy this word. I don’t use it frequently but whenever I hear it, I have to laugh because it is just funny to listen to and say! And i totally agree that the different spellings of teh word can change its meaning and aslo the way someone pronounces the word.
At first I wasn’t sure if “newbie” was an actual word, but was pleasantly surprised when I found a definition for it on dictionary.com.I didn’t know that “noob” could be such a huge insult, which makes it even more funny because it doesn’t seem like it would be that insulting at all. Its interesting that it is so versatile and has so many meanings. “n00b” is a new one for me.
In the world of online gaming I have been both the n00b and the one bestowing it upon the upcoming generation of noobs. I can agree with you Tina as when you are called it you get very defensive. Yet it feels quite satisfying to say it to someone else. Therefor, I agree that this is a great word.
I also like the word Xenos. It’s originally a Greek word for stranger or alien, though also could indicate a distant friend (courtesy of wikipedia). It can also be used as a prefix (Xeno) e.g., xenophobia is the fear of the unknown, something alien and forieng. It can function as a synonym for racism, though in truth it’s actually more specific and focused: instead of simply despising a race of people, you legitimately do not think these people belong and that they are “outsiders”. However, to be totally honest I mostly see it used in science fiction to refer to aliens, but not only those Gigerian in origin. Though xenomorphs are pretty freaking cool :P
It’s a strange word; not many words start with (hell, even have) an “X”, and that’s the prominent feature of this word. It looks alien on the page, it jumps out at you because of it’s strange spelling that you aren’t accustomed to. I like that aspect of it. In addition, when pronounced the “X” makes a “Z” sound. It even sounds strange and bizarre. Very fitting given the definition.
Brian, I really like the word Xenos as well. I personally love Greek words, their elegance and grace they add to sentences astound me. This word in particular though is interesting because it is a word which has been incorporated into modern day language. We use that word a lot actually, mostly in a History class, but we all understand it. When used as a prefix, the word needs no explanation, we just know the word means alien or foreign.
My favorite word was brought to my attention thanks to my AP Environmental Studies teacher Mr. Ciavara. Similar to how our APELAC class “derails” and “re-rails,” my Environmental Studies class has the same tendency to get off topic. It is at these moments where someone will utter: “but I digress”. It quickly caught on to the class, including myself. Digress is a handy verb defined as “to turn aside especially from the main subject of attention or course of argument.” I use it often when I go off on a rant, or am close to going off on a rant and want to take a step back from the argument for a moment rather than pursue it further. When used on a heated debate, it’s often meant to convey the sense that; yes, there is more I could say about this, but I’m making the conscious decision to save you all from hearing it. Or, simply, that the speaker chooses not to open up a particular can of worms. The applications of this word make it useful in any debater’s arsenal as well as in everyday discussion. The examples are numerous, and I could perhaps go on for hours with examples of applications of the verb from past classroom experiences, but once again for the sake of the audience, I digress.
Sarah I now use that word all the time! Whenever I’ll be talking with friends and I have something random to say, I’ll say it and then apologize for “derailing” from the conversation. I love this word because it sounds so much better then the casual, “Ohh that was random.” I don’t use re-rails as you also mentioned, but I love how this is your favorite word!
Another of my favorite words would be grace. It sounds simply delightful and pleasant like nothing could go wrong when you say it. I hate for this to sound vain because my middle name is Grace but I really do appreciate it. (For all you Hitchcock fans who made the connection, no it wasn’t a coincidence, my mother did want to name me after the actress turned princess Grace Kelly.) In the words of U2, “Grace it’s a name for a girl, it’s also a thought that changed the world.” Grace is a Latin word meaning blessing or favor, to me it’s a simple notion that the way one carries themselves could reflect upon their person. To have grace is to be elegant and forgiving, traits I don’t have but wish to acquire. Another reason I love this word is because it can be a verb, noun or proper noun. I know this frustrates other people because they don’t like that words can have multiple meanings or interpretations but I think that’s why words are so much fun. (Perhaps this would explain my love of homophones and heteronyms.)
Grace is a great word, Erin. It’s such a nice word. Maybe because it’s one syllable or how it sounds but it almost seems to be well rounded. The letters almost seemed to be placed with grace.
I also enjoy it because like you and Christina said, it can have different meanings to different people. Personally, I don’t find that frustrating because those are my favorite kinds of words. Grace has that basic level definition of elegance but everyone can add their own interpretation onto it. Does that make sense?
As you know, I’m in Teens and Tots and my tots name is Grace. She makes me happy so that might be another reason I think the word is so great.
Erin, I too love this word. The sound of the word itself isn’t what makes it one of my favorites, it is more the meaning and the images I connect with it that make me love this word. Whenever I hear the word “grace” I automatically picture a ballerina. This may sound silly, but that image makes me smile because it is just so pleasant and peaceful. My association of the word “grace” and ballet is probably why I enjoy this word so much.
Taylor, I picture a ballerina too! Thats so funny because when I first read that post, a ballerina was all I could think of, and then I scroll down and you beat me to it! Great minds think alike I guess. But I also really like this word because it is, well, like a born gift I guess? I don’t know how to put it, but people can aspire to be graceful all they want, but its not going to happen. Some people just have it. And when you find someone with oodles amount of “grace” you almost can’t help but to stare. It’s not a stare of jealousy, but almost of awe? I always have seen my Grandma as a very graceful woman, and I think its such a rare trait that it draws you in. This might just be me, but I guess all I can say is that graceful people rock.
Emily, I totally agree. Grace is a natural blessing that some of us have. It’s a humble trait that doesn’t boast but simply is elegant, and well, graceful. I’m glad so many people can appreciate this word beause it really is one of my favorites. The image that comes to mind when I hear this word is not a ballerina but Grace Kelly herself. For those of you who don’t know… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Kelly
She’s one of my icons, she’s a classic fifties beauty that had a lot of determination and talent, she truly embodies her name.
Emily, I understand exactly what you are saying. Some people just exude grace. And the people who are graceful, are graceful at most things they do i.e., walking, writing. Anyway, I just thought you might like to know it isn’t just you.
Erin, I also think that Grace is just a simple but truly elegant word. Just saying it brings a smile to my face and fills my heart with joy. Like you said grace can be a variety of things like “a verb, noun, or proper noun” and this flexibility is one of the reasons grace is such a magnificent word. I wished I was able to use words like grace more often in my writing because while on the surface they may seem simple but underneath there is a complexity and a meaning that takes on a different form for every person.
One of my favorite words may not be the prettiest sounding but I love it none the less, productive. I mainly use the word productive when I talk to my sister around the house. I’ll say, “Ariana, are you doing something productive?” she gets annoyed at me because I use it incessantly. It is almost a harsh word that pushes you to work harder and I think that is what attracts me towards it. We live in a society where constant beauty is expected but why can’t we have a little grit and harshness and just be functional? Productive is a function word and nothing more and this simplicity has an appeal that is always calming. I know it’s weird to say that a word like productive can be calming but when we can just take a deep breath and release it by saying a word that is present just for functionality I can take peace in knowing that.
If you substitute Cait for Ariana you will pretty much get the reason I’m not a huge fan of this word. Maybe it is the harshness of it that you mentioned that I also dislike. I understand that it may “push you to work harder,” but personally, I would say that pressure as well as the lack of fluidity of the word makes it anything but calming for me. To stick with the same idea, words such as prolific and fruitful have a similar meaning but a much smoother, more melodic flow that I tend to appreciate. But if it is truly the sharpness of “productive: that “attracts [you] towards it,” then I respect that.
May I say, reading this made me very happy… but I digress
Ok, that was supposed to be a reply to sarah, but apparently it didn’t work…. oh darn
The one word that I absolutely love is insipid. To me, this word has no meaning. No more meaning than the way it sounds and is pronounced. I first learned the word in 9th grade during a SAT vocabulary lesson and I feel in love with it immediately. But when I read the definition, I was not pleased . I felt as if the meaning robbed the entire beauty out of the word. Insipid (according to dictionary.com) means lacking flavor, or dull. Completely opposite to the way it sounds. I never use to the word in my writing or my speech but the word streams across my mind like an endless conveyer belt. I don’t use the word because I can’t agree with it’s meaning. In my mind, the word insipid is the most beautiful thing, but in reality, it is just another word for boring.
But on a more practical note, a word that I love to use is juxtapose or juxtaposition. According to dictionary.com, juxtapose means to “place close together or side by side, esp. for comparison or contrast.”. It’s as simple as that but a very helpful word to use when you want to express “contrast” in a different way. It is also a good word to use when you feel like being analytical.
Kaylin, it makes me really happy that you included juxtapose because it seems to be the go to word in Creative Expressions. No matter what the piece, scenario, or author, SOMETHING is being juxtaposed. It’s such a great word too, because like you said, it is so practical. I think I like it so much because it has a connection to Creative Expressions. So many interesting words are connected to that class.
I’ll try to keep this succinct and simply ramble off a few of my favorite words: tantalizing, tintinnabulation, prodigy, musicality, expose, unveil, orgasmic, unconventional, superfluous, and juggernaut.
My all time favorite phrase would be, “formerly known as…”
These are just my favorite they are unrelated but I think that they are all unique and I love not only what they mean but how they sound. My favorite part of the word is how it feels in your mouth. The way lips move and the vibrations of your throat create sounds of various tones and pitch that are accepted to be words in a language. Fascinating.
I’m replying to myself because I forgot a great word: lair. I love how gothic and medieval it sounds. But then I think it’s funny because I always picture Dr. Frank-N-Furter saying it. I know in the movie he never does instead he says, “So come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab.” Another one of my favorite phrases, but I’m not sure why I just always see this large man dressed in a corset saying, “Come into my lair.” *Evil Laugh*
I have a bad case of linguaphilia (I had a lot of trouble narrowing down my choices). Does that make me a linguaphile?
Starting simply, the word “klutz” is humorous to me, and that’s the reason why I like it. The word fits its definition well- as it looks a bit awkward (and tumbling). A world like “klutz” is rare… because not many words end with the letter “z”. Another couple of words I like are “rune”, “Celsius”, “aphorism”, “ghost” and “illumination”. Rune sounds almost.. mysterious, although it means something written/inscribed in set characters. Celsius’ letter flow sounds majestic, even though it pertains to a temperature reading. I like the word aphorism because of the letter pronunciation (pronounced af-uh-riz-um… not ap-hor-ism), and of course the “ism” at the end (I like “ism” endings). Ghost is an awesome word because it can be used as a noun (soul of a dead person), verb (to ghostwrite), adjective (fabricated for purposes of deception or fraud), or idiom (give up the ghost). Lastly, illumination is one of my favorite words simply because of its spelling.
I also love the word klutz! I use it so many times during the day whether it’s to describe a ridiculous, un-coordinated move that I made or if it’s one that a friend made. When I was younger, I was often described as a klutz due the horrible habit of tripping over my own feet! And like you said it’s such a unique word when you consider its spelling. And I have to admitt, it’s a fun word to say!
OMG Tina!!! You completely took my word. At first i wanted to use that word but then i saw that you used it, so i figured that i would just comment on yours. YESS and a thousand times yess do i love this word. You have absolutely no clue how many times i use this word (mostly it’s to describe myself when i have klumzy moments but in general, I LOVE THIS WORD)!!!! Haha this word comes into my vocabulary soooo frequently that it sometimes turns into every other sentence…occassionally. This word i can possibly say to describe everything when it comes to certain events, such as falling up the stairs…which i have accomplished by the way. For some reason, some people find the word klutz to be a word not dominting their vocabulary, for me, i’m the complete opposite. I use this word just as much as random, possibly more because i use this to describe my friends or me when we do something silly, such as fall up the stairs, or the occassional trip over your own feet.
It may seem simple but my absolute favorite word is mine. I generally like words that are open to interpretation and are subjective to individuals like love, heaven, beauty and time. Mine can be used as a noun, verb and pronoun. I could work in a mine, or I could mine in the ground. But I even have a favorite version of mine that I like best. That’d be the pronoun use of it. The dictionary.com definition of this version is “something that belongs to me”. If I were to add something to this definition to add my own interpretation it’s that when something is really and truly mine no one can take it away from me. Because of this definition it became my favorite word. For example, my happiness is mine, the music I play and create is mine. The word may seem simple but it means so much. The other thing I like about this word is the way it sounds. It’s simple with one syllable but makes you almost round your mouth in order to say it and I just think it’s so cool.
Serenade is another word that I really like. It may because I play an instrument that is referenced to when talking about serenading someone (the violin). It may be because I love music in general. It may also be because I would enjoy being serenaded. At dictionary.com the first definition of the word is “a complimentary performance of vocal or instrumental music in the open air at night, as by a lover under the window of his lady”. I’m not really a sucker for that kind of stuff but I mean that sounds pretty lovely. The word sets a nice image in your head that I think is great. Like the word mine, I also enjoy how serenade sounds when spoken.
Another word I enjoy is dude. Again, I love how it sounds. To reference a quote from a book about a kid leaving his private school for a Grateful Dead concert, “Dude is a term of camaraderie among fellow Jerry-ites, a way of extending friendship without straining the brain cells trying to remember a name.” (Jerry-ites refers to fanatical fans of the Grateful Dead and their lead singer/guitarist, Jerry Garcia.) While I don’t find myself forgetting peoples names frequently I don’t use dude that much either. But when I find the opportune moment to (even if I haven’t forgotten someone’s name) I’ll use it.
Some other random words I like are moon, lunar, goldfish, and orangutan. As for the last two, I’m not really sure why I get such a kick out of them, they just make me happy.
Abbey, I would like to inform you, that since we’re such great friends, I seem to use the word dude religiously, but I know you are a huge fan because whenever you have something to say that magically pops into your mind, you hit me and say “Dude…” and then tell me your random thought. As for the word, I never really used it, but it has slipped into my vocabulary, and well there you go, it’s one I use often.
Abby, I don’t have anything really constructive to say except that your description of why you like the word “mine” just made me extremely happy. I don’t know why, but it honestly brought a smile to my face. So I would just like to say thank you.
Well Miranda, I guess I use dude more than I thought I did! But then again I guess I only use it before I say a random thought like you said. So instead of dude being a way to address people whose names have magically disappeared from my mind I use it more as a filler. Thanks for that, because I would’ve never realized it without you!
And Emily, it makes me even happier that I made you happy. I was happy while writing it too so I guess it’s like a happiness circle.
Ok, so we had a fantastic talk about all these words in school today and I promised I’d comment. Here we go:
Firstly, your description of the word ‘mine’ gave me the warm fuzzies. I just goes to show that seemingly simple things can be so very profound.
Next, the word ‘dude’. I freaking love this word, and your given definition is so very, very amazing. One of the things I think I like best about ‘dude’ is that it’s so flexible. It can be a friendly ‘What’s up, dude?’, an exclamation (‘Dude! Watch out for that rampaging elephant!’…Do elephants rampage? I don’t even know…), or even an awe-struck ‘Duuuuuude…’
Also, I’d just like to add that the word ‘orangutan’ always gives me a mental image of that adorable orange furball called Hungry on those diet commercials.
Rebecca, again I am glad that I gave you the “warm fuzzies”. That makes me very happy.
As for dude I just think it’s so great. It is flexible and can be used in many different ways like you said.
And the story behind orangutan (which I think I told you, I forget, rehearsal is becoming one big blur) is that my dad’s friend always used to call him an orangutan and for some reason it has stuck with me. Then again, she did call me quail so maybe I should add that to my list.
Also, I really like the word wristlet. I was in gym one day and listing how a necklace goes on your neck, earrings go on your ears, anklets go on your ankles and bracelets go on your..braces? No! Because this made no sense to me I concluded that I would call bracelets wristlets from then on. A couple days later (this morning) I was in the music wing and going through the same spiel (sp?) and the girl I was talking to told me that a wristlet was a real thing! She explained it as a tiny purse worn on your wrist. I don’t really think that’s really useful but whatever. Just now I looked up wristlet at dictionary.com and guess what! It says that wristlet is a bracelet! I wonder why we weren’t brought up to use the word wristlet instead of bracelet. Why was bracelet chosen over wristlet? It’s pretty interesting actually.
For some reason, I really like the word, “sentimental”. I am certainly not sentimental in any definition of the word, but I feel like it takes gushy words like tenderness, nostalgia, and sadness and bottles them up into a very cold hard, practical and dispassionate sounding word, which is somewhat ironic since it’s meaning is not dispassionate at all.
Colby, I’m glad that even if you are not a sentimental person yourself, I’m glad that you have allowed the word to be one of your favorites. However sentimental isn’t necessarily a cold word just a smaller showing of emotion, tenderness opposed to gushiness.
Hah, Colby when you wrote sentimental, I saw the word Sentinel. I know that’s not what you wrote, but that’s what I saw. However, sentimental is a good word, too. I don’t use it much but it’s good for describing a somewhat “sensitive” character.
So why I’m on the topic, I love the word sentinel. Meaning a guard or lookout, it is simple in nature, but there’s something about the word that makes me smile…Ah!, X-Men!!! Great comics, great television series, and even great movies. Do you remember sentinels? I do. The redish, purplish, tall robot thing that were really bad. Those were cool. When a good guy beat one of those bad puppies you knew, you just knew, they’d be part of the X-Men soon enough.
Take a gander at this:
Jake, this is fantastic hahahahahaha… well done. The potential for embedding youtube videos straight into posts is also nothing short of forbidden black magic. Which I will most definitely be including in my own posts :P
Jake, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for referencing and posting an X-Men video. It brings me back….
And now I’ll throw in some words while I’m on the topic. It’s not really a word, but I have always found Storm’s real name intriguing. It’s Ororo Munroe. Doesn’t that sound like it has OD’d on “oh” sounds? I love it.
Also, I quite enjoy the word ‘gambit’. Not only is it the hero name of one of my favorite X-Men – Remy Etiene LeBeau (another awesome name) – it’s a cool word, too. It’s defined as ‘a maneuver by which one seeks to gain an advantage’. Great synonyms include ‘scheme’, ‘ruse’ and ‘stratagem’.
Okay, so the word that I love to use when I am in a heated discussion with someone, preferably my mom, is audacity. According to the Internet, the definition of audacity is aggressive boldness and if you want to use a synonym to lessen the negativity you could use bravery, courage or nerve. It doesn’t necessarily have to have a negative connotation when being used but when I say it, it usually does. For example I may say, “She had the audacity to question my decision.” I guess the way in which this word can be articulated mainly depends on the person because when I use it, I am generally moving my arms and head around like I always do when I talking. I’m sure you can picture in your heads what I look like when I am in an intense discussion. It’s probably quite amusing and you may actually hear me say this word the next time I am passionately discussing a topic.
OMG TWINS! love that word as well, for i too use that words as a negatice connotation, and love the idea of using it during a heated debate!
I think one of my most common used words is lame. It’s not that I think it’s of high quality and it’s not especially fun to say, but it is one that I say on a regular basis. I think the reason I say it so much is because I can use it in many different ways, whether it be to say I don’t like something. “Being cold is lame.” Or to make fun of my close friends, “You’re really lame you know.” (That example is actually more of a compliment around my friends than an insult) Or to simply say the word out loud, which happens frequently. I use it seriously, sarcastically, and senselessly, but all the same I use it daily.
Another word I’m big on is ridiculous. It’s another one of those words that has a variety of uses, whether it’s good or bad, ridiculous seems to be the first word that comes to mind. If something is really great, I’ll say it’s ridiculous. For example (since I love swimming) : doing well in the 500 is ridiculous. I also say it when something is really lame (in a bad way, in this case), for example: coughing my brains out in class is ridiculous. It’s also easily turned into an adverb : It’s ridiculously cold in the winter. It might be that I like words that can describe almost anything happening, which is very likely, but they are also really great words.
That wasn’t supposed to be a comment, but while I’m here, Michele that’s not fair, you actually are twins!
Yes! I use lame when I talk all the time. Just as you said before I can use it sarcastically and seriously, and sometimes I flat out blurt out the word unintentionally because I use it that often. Occasionally I’ll call my friends “lameiods”, (which I think I got from the TV show Rocket Power that I watched one to many times when I was a little kid) but in that context I’ll always use it sarcastically rather then seriously. Lame is a part of my daily vocabulary, and I’m glad to know someone else uses it as much as I do, if not more.
I love using the word lame too! It can be applied to so many situations. I always use it when talking about things that I don’t agree with. I feel like if you use the word “lame”, then people can’t think of a comeback to say back to you.
Haha Rachel, anytime I see a reference to Rocket Power, I get really excited and I actually remember the word lameoids so that may be why I love the word so much! And Elisa, I know what you mean by saying it because it’s a word no one can really give a comeback to. I don’t know why, but words seem to escape people when you call them lame. Maybe it’s just my friends, but they never really know whether I’m saying it as a compliment or as an insult. It sort of keeps them on their toes, really.
The phrase that I love is “Two of A Kind”, meaining very similar individuals. Now you may think that I like this phrase more than “One of a Kind” because of the mere fact that I am a twin, but I just like the way that it can just bring people and their common characteristics together, like “You are guys are two of a kind!” I also like this phrase because it used to be a t.v. show starring none other than the OLSEN TWINS! :) Guess I’ll always be two of a kind.
Ohh wait! I just thought of two other words that I love just as much, unique and individuality. Unique means radically distinctive and without equal and individuality means the characteristics which contribute to the differentiation or distinction of someone or something from a group of otherwise comparable identity. I tend to use these words a lot when trying to describe what it is like to be a twin and how different I am from my sister. “My individuality sets me apart from everyone else” and “I am unique because I am a twin” are phrases that I like to use every now and then. But I guess i just love these words so much because of how I’m not “one of a kind”.
After a week of thinking about what word I use the most, or what word I love the most, I’ve decided it’s dapper. Dapper just sounds so light and refreshing and the way you say it makes it sound so exciting and different from any other word. Dapper means: neat, trim, and smart; you can use dapper when a) you’re telling someone how they look, or b) you could walk with a dapper step. I don’t use dapper often when I’m speaking, in fact I rarely use it at all, but when I do use it, it’s fun and playful to say and you don’t have to use it in a serious conversation because it sounds like a casual word.
Besides from a word, a phrase I’ve used a lot recently since the Olympics have ended is “Double McTwist 1260”. It’s become so popular because it gave Shaun White his gold medal, and no one else could pull off a Double McTwist 1260. Payal and I use the word when we’re speaking by saying something like, “My parents pulled a Double McTwist 1260 on me and now I can’t go out anymore”. Double McTwist 1260 is also a unique phrase and fun to say like dapper. Dapper and Double McTwist 1260 are two rare words and phrases, but when used in context they can make your conversation more entertaining and casual.
YES! DOUBLE MCTWIST 1260 <3 I completely agree. One of my favorite words too, (obviously.) Its like an extreme version of "pulling a 180," a complete turn around from your original plans. WHICH! relates to the histry behind this very word:
Shaun White did this very Double Mctwist 1260 in an effort to "go out with a bang," if you will, in his last (and unnecessary) run. He was working on this trick for 2 years and finally did it when he scored enough air on his last attempt to try it out, on his last run which was unplanned and considered his victory run. After wiping out before, he decided to man up and do it. So, despite his plans to not "put it down," he did, thus, pulling a Double McTwist 1260, literally and metaphorically. BTW, I auto-loved this word/trick because Shaun White completed it. Jus sayin'.
Rachel, dapper is such a light-hearted word, what a great choice. But being the Olympic fanatic you and I both know I am I must comment on the Double McTwist 1260. I had never thought of using it that way before in the case you gave, “my parents pulled a Double McTwist 1260 on me and now I can’t go out anymore”. I had never thought of using it that way and cannot wait to use it in conversation!
Also, I think it’s really awesome that one trick (an amazing one) has become a phrase that can be used in everyday language not just when you’re talking about the trick. It’s so great.
I wish I knew about your fascination with Shaun White because I am absolutely obsessed. I know typical teenage girl but let me explain. I have self diagnosed by self with monthlyobsessiveinfatuation (not a real medical condition). Because every month I become obsessed with one person and then my life revolves around them for the duration of my illness. Just to give you an idea; January – John Mayer, February – Luke Pritchard, March – Shaun White. So while I love the phrase, “Double McTwist 1260,”it’s not only because Shaun White accomplished it but because it was groundbreaking and amazing. I’m an Olympic fanatic, I cry at the opening and closing ceremonies, and because this mind blowing trick occurred during those holy two weeks it will become a part of my everyday artillery of super cool phrases.
Rach,
The first time I heard the word dapper was from my mom and I laughed hysterically because I’ve never heard it before. Glad to know it’s not a word that my mom uses. :)
I have a ridiculous amount of favorite words. Two words I love to say are Chlorenchyma, Parenchyma and Schlarenchyma. Yes, I am sooo a Bio geek. I enjoy these words, for the sole reason that they are fun to say. And because they are fun to say, I actually came out of AP Bio class last year knowing something that I probably will never need to apply in real life. The three definitions are intertwined, having to do supporting tissue in plants. I have probably bored you already, so I will not go into detail.
Next, my other favorite word, SWAGGER, aka “swagga” aka “swag aka “checking my fresh.” Usually associated with rap music today, it wasn’t always this way. Let’s consider the differences in dictionaries. (Well one dictionary because Urban Dictionary isn’t even real.)
Merriam Webster: to conduct oneself in an arrogant or superciliously pompous manner; especially: to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence
(And can I just say, pompous is one of my favorite words too, like I said, I have a ridiculous amount of favorite words. I wasn’t lying.)
Ok, Urban Dictionary: poised, sassiness that can’t be touched. It may be in the walk or it may be in the talk, but there is no doubt it means you own the room and you have that natural charisma. Basically, one with swagger dominates at life
Example (only to help enhance the meaning):
You can learn how to dress just by checkin my fresh
Checkin’ checkin’ my fresh
Checkin’ checkin’ my fresh
Follow my steps, it’s the road to success
Where the n****s know you thorough
And the girls say “Yes”
But I can’t teach ’em my swag
You can pay for school but you can’t buy class
School of hard knocks I’m a grad
Ever since I established it as one of my favorite words I’ve been seeing it everywhere. From hearing Lil Mama judge dance crews on MTV to page 13 of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. “The way he talks, his wink, his loud talk, all remind me of a car salesman or stock auctioneer…” I chuckled when I was reading it. It can be used as a noun or adjective. At Rachel Klein’s house just the other day, we were watching ABDC (America’s Best dance Crew, for you noobs out there (Elisa!)) and I wasn’t diggin’ the crew that had just performed, I immediately, acting as a Lil Mama myself, said “Yeah. They “deff” didn’t have enough swagger for my style.” Mrs. Klein, immediately agreed, which I found hilarious because I wasn’t too sure she knew what I meant but I went along with it. The one thing I like about people’s swagger is that, well in my book, it’s unique to everyone and no one can “steal” someone else’s swagger, it’s basically a synonym for style. But yeah, its fun to say, and you don’t have to be “ghetto” or Jay-Z to say it.
I have a favorite prefix. It is auto–. It’s great. I say it all the time, however I say it in the incorrect context and quite frankly I don’t care because it’s just fun. Examples include: auto-win, auto-fail (most popular because well, I auto-fail about three times a day, at least) and auto-love.
If someone epically fails, I auto-win, no question and as my dad would say, “no ifs or buts,” as Oscar Meyer’s commercial says, “no if’s, ands or buts.”
If I say the same thing my classmate JUST said, or if I my homework was due at the beginning of class and my teacher sees me doing it, yep, I auto-fail. This word can also be used to replace just “fail” when one is witnessed.
If someone has the same dress as me, I auto-love it, because…I bought it too…they’re all weird words, but honestly, one must find those special moments to use this prefix. Although it is an abbreviation meaning self, the prefix, again, in my book, can be used to describe someone else’s actions, meaning automatic, no question about it. It’s like saying 2+2= (auto), there’s no question, the answer is 4. Me + chemistry= auto-fail.
To comment on what you wrote in your blog, “I wasn’t diggin’ the crew” I use diggin’ ALL the time. Ever since the movie “Holes” came out and the song “diggin up them holes” was in the movie, I’ve used it. You can use diggin’ for “I’m diggin’ your shirt”, “I’m not diggin’ what she’s saying”, or literally “I’m diggin’”. Diggin’ can be used to mean “I like your shirt”, “I don’t understand what she’s saying”, or “I’m digging”. Diggin’ is a fun word and isn’t used to be “for real” but when you’re just talking to your friends, hanging out and joking around.
Ah I am so happy you brought up the word “swagger”! AND I NOTICED IN IN THE BOOK TOO! I was so excited. I always thought swagger was kind of a new word. But I guess the definition of swagger evolved to more “urban” meanings. And I agree with you, swagger doesn’t necessarily have to do with being “ghetto” although it does have that connotation. I feel as if swagger has come the more “hipper” replacement of the word confidence, or individualism.
Swagger, is absolutely one of my favorite words. To say, to hear, to write. All around it carries a lightweight tone. My understood definition of swagger being: to walk defiantly. If you have swagger, you have, like Kaylin mentioned, confidence. You carry yourself in a good, strong way that makes people notice. I think we’re all currently looking to find our swagger, or maybe have found it. But until then, whether we’ve found it or not, the word shall be tossed around lightly. It’s perfect.
I would have to say one of my favorite words is Dramatic! I hear it all the time. I myself don’t say a whole lot but I just love how easily the word can describe someone! The dictionary tells us it means to have a characteristic that involves some sort of conflict or contrast. When I do use the word, it’s usually to describe someone who is exaggerating on a situation. For example, you will probably hear many girls comment on their “imperfections” such as, “My nose is too big!” Well someone may comment back saying, “Oh please! Stop being so dramatic!” (Sorry it’s not a great example but it’s all I could think of right now). And that’s it! There’s no need to go on and say how normal their nose looks or anything, by just saying the one word you sum it all up; one, that I can’t stand your whining, and two that your nose is perfectly fine and there’s no need to complain. It may not be the nicest way to respond, but it’s simple and does the job.
When this word is heard, it’s automatically thought to be negative, which I would agree it is. However, no one really wants to hear you exaggerate and complain and there is so many worse things that could be said; so in short, you should be thankful. Using Dramatic gets your point across, but not in a harsher way than what is needed. So yes I love this word for it’s simplicity and for its ability to make us sound a little less of a you-know-what.
Ever since English class last year with Ms. McTigue I have fallen in love with the phrase “Shut ur face.” It may sound like a mean thing to say but I think it is absolutely hilarious. While you can use it in a joking manner you can also use it to get someone to be quiet. Change up your demand from the traditional shut up and give shut ur face a try. You may find that you prefer the phrase.
I completely forgot about that, but I wanted to just comment on how I found it interesting that you spelled ‘your’ as ‘ur.’ The way language evolves and the way new words and phrases are interpreted and recorded perplexes me. Similarly, in Rachel’s recent post, where she talked about “diggin’,” you can see how more innovative lingo and phrases vary significantly from standard English through the dropping of consonants and switching to text message-style spelling.
Funny you should talk about the way I spelled the word your. I actually gave it quite a bit of thought about the way I should write it. I ultimately decided that your was too formal for the message that the phrase is trying to convey and the text message style of writing seemed much more fitting for the situation.
I agree. At first glance I had no idea why you did it, but then I realized that ‘ur’ is actually how McTigue pronounced it so it is quite fitting. And having an English teacher modifying her English to match current styles and fit her intended mood is telling us something.
That phrase makes me laugh everytime Ms. Mctigue says it! I think it’s the way she says it too. Your right, its the perfect step down from “shut up” and it can’t ever be taken too seriously because you can’t help but laugh when you hear it! Did you know it was Chelsea Handler who pretty much coined the term in her show Chelsea Lately? She has t-shirts made and everything!
Superfluous: Being more than what is sufficient or required. excessive. That is the definition that I like best though there are others. Is it my favorite word maybe not but I go through periods of popularity when it comes to vocabulary and currently superfluous is at the top. It is not so much the meaning of the word that makes it great although it is a good one to sophistify (not a word) a sentence. So now I’ve digressed but anyway back to my favorite word. It sounds weird but I like the way that the word snaps when you say it. you feel lazy when you start saying super but when you say the last two syllables they always have an energy to them. It rolls off the tongue. It is also a word that many people hear and know but I don’t think many can define if asked point blank so it makes me feel smart at times. So for now I’m sticking with superfluous.
Rob, I’m so happy that someone wrote about superfluous. I’m a fan of the word (I find that odd to say for whatever reason), and even though I can rarely use it I find it amusing that superfluous is in a way superfluous. The definition is “more than what is sufficient or required” and just by using the word I feel as if I’m being excessive. I’m thrilled to see you wrote “digressed” in your blog as well since I chose that as my favorite word and wrote a blog about it before. A when it comes to “sophistify-ing” sentence, I know exactly what you mean…
A term that I like quite well is “angle of repose.” While not the most practical phrase for everyday conversation, defined as the maximum angle a granular pile can form with the ground before any of the material begins to slide down the inline, I find it aesthetically pleasing (another phrase that I particularly enjoy). It is slightly scientific and mathematical, which are topics that interest me greatly, but what I like best about this term is the image and meaning behind it. I like to picture it as a child pouring a bucket of sand into a pile that quickly reaches its peak and cascades down, widening the pile at the base. In this way, the angle of repose seems so calming and soothing and natural. Maybe it is just me, but I feel that the angle of repose lends itself to a great metaphor about the limits of the natural world and how no matter how hard you try to force a bit more sand on top of the existing pile it will slide down, but at the bottom, it will all fall into place and work to strengthen the pile as a whole. I think that if you think of it in this way, the term becomes less technical and more beautiful, as it sounds.
I didn’t know what the angle of repose was, but my first feelings towards it were like you said “soothing and natural.” I was shocked to learn that it is in deed an extremely technical term that wouldn’t necessarily be grouped with beauty. After looking at it through your point of view I have to agree with all that you say. One thing that I like to do is think of the angle as more of an angel to watch over the little boy with his bucket and pile of sand.
That made me laugh because I thought that my interpretation was a bit of a stretch, but I’m so glad that you agree with me on this term.
I had never heard this phrase before and upon first hearing (or in this case reading) it I wasn’t fond of it. But, after you explained why you liked this particular phrase, I grew fonder of it. In my opinion, the phrase itself is not what is appealing, but it is the ideas and connections surrounding it. Also, I was pleased to see that you used the phrase “aesthetically pleasing,” I thoroughly enjoy using it.
Well, now that we’ve happened upon the 11th “Oh my God this is due tomorrow we all must comment 10 bajillion times!!!” hour and my inbox has been suitably clogged, I figured I’d add another short phrase (or two).
I really like the expression “digging your own grave”. The subject can change (digging my own grave, digging our own grave, etc.), of course to make it fit the context. But I feel like it’s such a great expression. It implies a horrible fate, that is created by the work of one’s own hands. It isn’t anyone else who dug your grave, it was YOU. It fits my cynical, misanthropic attitude toward the world at large. It focuses a lot on our own inherent flaws, which are something that I think all too often we gloss over and sweep under the rug.
Another phrase I use a lot is “fair enough”. I’ve noticed a couple people using it more frequently as well, but it’s a good space taker that can be used in practically any circumstances. Positive, negative, indifferent; fair enough will fit. It’s intellectual and mature, adding a more sophisticated bend to the conversation which is always nice (in my opinion, at least).
I too appreciate the phrase “digging your own grave”. It’s such a graphic ominous phrase. I also feel like it’s a very effective phrase. It’s one thing to get yourself in a troubling situation, but it’s another to be “digging your own grave”. when you’re digging your own grave you know you’re in deep (no pun intended) doodoo. Especially because it implies the ultimate ending of death… so that’s another quality of the phrase that takes it to a more severe level. It’s kind of funny because the phrase is like a twisted, sick metaphor. “If you haven’t started your project you’re digging your own grave!”… AKA “If you haven’t started your project you’re setting yourself up to be buried alive a suffer a cold, slow, painful death!”. I think it’s just funny.
I kind of have to do this, because even though I don’t use the word ever, literally, it’s still one of the best words I’ve learned. It’s not likely that I’ll ever use it either, but I love it anyway. It’s a term I learned in Java, and it’s pseudo-random numbers. The definition we were given was that it is a set of numbers that seem like they are random but they actually derive from a mathematical algorithm. Being the math nerd that I am, I would put in a word that had to do with math. I guess I like it because we never technically learned the word. We were given a list of vocabulary words for the midterm and it was on the list and no one had seen it prior, but it’s fun to say, so I made sure that I memorized the definition. Even though I don’t use it ever, and I’m sure not many people do, I here it often outside of my Java class, because many of my friends take Java, and one of my friends is majoring in computer science, and speaks of the pseudo-random numbers a lot. So there’s my nerdy word of the day. Enjoy.
There are two words which I enjoy the most. Firstly, I love the word echelon. I don’t know why but I just really like the word. Meaning level or rank, the word just leaves me speechless. I’ve heard the word dozens of times before, but it wasn’t until just recently that I actually recognized the word. It was while I was listening to a song, Echelon, by 30 Seconds To Mars, that I became interested in the song. I guess that it was the song and the lyrics themselves that brought me to the loving of the word echelon. The word just sounds so graceful and enlightening that I am compelled to use it at every chance I get.
The second word that I enjoy is a little less sophisticated, per say; the word is cool. Nothing more, nothing less, just cool. The word can be used in so many ways, which makes it even the more interesting to me. I must use that word at least a dozen times a day. Being able to use it as a closing statement, an ecstatic response, a sarcastic comment, a simple remark to an observation, or a filler word to use when someone is talking to you and you were honestly not listening to a word they were saying, makes the word so versatile that it weaves it way into basically all of my conservations.
“Turn that frown upside down”: This is just my favorite phrase ever. It’s kind of a shame because I never really have the chance to use it, but then again I guess it’s good seeing that it means I’m surrounded by happy people :). Anyways, I like this phrase because its so visual. I picture this upside down crescent inverted involuntarily by hands and illuminate a light of joy. I don’t really know why. I also like how it rhymes; I’m a sucker for a nice jingle. I also find it interestingly creepy. I think it is because it is said in such a gleeful way yet it has two negatives in it “frown” and “down”. Its kind of like the nursery rhyme “Ring around the rosy” which is as well song gayly but is about the black plague. I don’t know, it might just be me but I find the phrase a little creepy.
“Love”: I love the word love because of its vagueness. You can love cheese, you can love your best friend, and you can love your spouse. All are different levels of love, yet they are all represented by the same word: Love. I’m really confused about the difference. Honestly I think it is overused and that’s why such a great emotion such as love can be used to describe your feelings for cheese. I don’t think there is a difference in “loving someone” and “being in love with someone”. I thing it’s the same emotion just one is more severe. I guess “loving someone” would represent “love” and “being in love with someone” represents “a lot of love”? I don’t really know :p, but I love the word just because it has expanded so much and transformed into this second rate emotion that people just throw away at their cheese.
To me, I think the difference between “Loving someone” and “being in love” has to do with who is involved. For example, you can’t be “in love” with five different people but you can “love” five different people. “Being in love” I think is exclusively for two people while “loving someone” can be used to express the emotion of love to anyone.
OMG, yes I love the phrase “turn that frown upside down”(and my use of the word love happened to be accidental). I actually use it too. Although it is a tad bit nursery rhyme-y, I really like using it, especially in a chipper tone.
Dan! I was going to use love as my favorite word as well!I just love the word love. If you scroll almost to the top one of Brian Fox’s comments was about one of his favorite words “agape” and it is one form of love that the Greeks used out of three, maybe four, I forget. I really suggest you read it, I commented too!
The previous message is sponsored by Brian Fox :P
The “love” discussion is such an interesting one. If you don’t want to go track down my post (since at this point it’s like finding a needle in a haystack… that’s on fire… in outer space…), just plug “agape” or “greek love” into wikipedia and you should find some good information on it.
Currently my favorite word is kinder. This is a German word that means children. Not that I use it often, but I have grown a certain liking to it. I really wasn’t exposed to this word much before this year, but now it is one of my favorites. Mr. Eure uses it on a daily basis to greet us and addresses us as kinder. This word is just adds variety to any sentence or situation (probably because it comes from a foreign language). The first time someone says this word it takes you by surprise, which is probably why I like this word so much- it is unique. Every time Mr. Eure, or anyone else for that matter, utters the word kinder it brings a smile to my face.
I too have the same response to the word kinder. I agree that because it is foreign that is a reason for the appeal towards it and we have grown so accustomed to it over the course of the year. But I’m not always happy when I hear the word kinder; it also makes me sad that when Mr. Eure calls us kinder we cannot respond with a word of a similar fashion. If we found another foreign word to refer to Mr. Eure then everything would be perfect in the world.
“zephyr, a gentle breeze”
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hear this word in conversation and not smile or laugh. Zephyr has become a word that I hold near and dear to my heart. A zephyr is literally, a gentle breeze. And that’s all it is. But it’s not the definition or the way it’s pronounced that excites me. It’s me memories that are connected to this word. The short recap of this: me and my friends were studying SAT vocab words and this happened to be one of them but it was such an odd word that we didn’t know how to connect it to anything to be able to memorize it. So finally one of my friends said the word and the definition in a silly little voice along with a little dance and ever since then, zephyr’s been stuck on all of us.
I always found it fascinating whenever we could connect one of our senses, such as the smell of something or the sound of something to a particular memory. Since I have such a fond memory attached to this word, I feel as if I own a part of it, and my friends share it as well. When you have a connection like that to a word, then you know it’s gotta be special!
I love this word! I also love that you picked a word that connects to a memory rather than because it just sounds cool. Also it reminds me of “The Zephyr Song” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Until now I had no idea of what a zephyr was. Now the song makes a lot more sense, so thanks Kaylin!
I have to agree with Kaylin and Sam. I am one of the friends Kaylin is referencing to in her post, so I know exactly where she is coming from. The word is actually detached from its meaning, but instead it is embodied by a numerous amount of memories. One that is standing out is the Volleyball Tournament last year. We were so obsessed with the word, we named our team after it, and went around saying it and doing the hand motion that matched. It was great.
I agree with Sam that its cool when a word connencts with a memory. Later on Lauren has a post about one of her favorite words, and explains that since it is a sole component to a memory, it has become a part of her. I think these types of words are the ones that stay forever. Sometimes, we like words for a few months, like a fad. But the words that have managed to make their way into your memory are words that you will love forever.
For some very odd and deranged reason, I always find myself attracted to the word flamboyant. For this word inparticular, even though i don’t use it very often, i feel the word carries a certain appeal. Flamboyant to me sounds sophisticated, lively and descriptive. The definition of flamboyant is 1.) strikingly bold or brilliant; showy. Or 2.) conspicuously dashing and colorful. However, i feel when the word flamboyant is used, it brings a certain standard to vocabulary and its meaning. Flamboyant can be used in various occassions in which it attracts to me more than a boring word like “colorful” or “bright.” Those words are beginning descriptions. Words such as flamboyant on the other hand bring more “knowledge to the table” and introduce a higher expectation. I do enjoy a word that makes someone seem smart.
Why do you consider it “deranged” that you like the word flamboyant, Ashley? I’m confused by that, because the word is not really odd, slightly insane, or crazy. I do however, also love the word flamboyant. I agree when you say it’s a lot more exciting than words such as “colorful” or “bright”, but I disagree when you refer to them as “beginning despcriptions”. I don’t understand how you consider the term “bright” to be a some sort of ineffective descriptor, yet flamboyant as bringing “more knowledge to the table”. When you say that flamboyant introduces a “higher expectation”, what expectation are you referring to? Do you mean the response of whomever you’re speaking to? I get the feeling that you like the word flamboyant because it’s one of those words that just makes you SOUND more intelligent, which I totally get, but I think you could clarify that a little more. So, the point of my blog post here- how do you qualify the words “colorful” and “bright” as ineffective?
The one word i hold close to me, and Luke can back me on this, is apathy. The power that is behind this word follows me back to 8th grade. The story, and the person behind it, just shed every emotion possible, which is ironic, considering apathy means lack of emotion. I heard this word and had to be told what it meant. And immediately it stuck with me. First reason, i have been told on numerous occasions that i in fact “lack emotion.” i apparently do not feel any type of emotion, in any situation, ever. Surprising huh? Even though i disagree with what i’ve heard about myself, i see where my apathetic feelings are heightened. If a word reminds you of yourself, there is no way that it cannot be a favorite. Second, I once received a letter packed with emotion, that i couldn’t surrender to. So instead, i chose apathy. I chose to not care, to not feel anything instead of everything i should have. And with that choice of apathy, i lost one of the most important people in my life, and still to this day, cannot show them the slightest amount of emotion that i still have. Somehow this turned into a sob story of my life, oh well. Apathy shining through? I guess i love it for all the wrong reasons. It represents a trait i do not want to have, and a memory that still hurts. Apathy, the lack of emotion, the one word brings forth more emotion than anyone can stomach. For me personally, this word is actually everything.
I gotta say, I love this word too Lauren. While I may not have the same history with it that you do, the implications it brings are VERY powerful. It’s a very strong, very charged word; and represent a force every bit as dangerous as hatred. I daresay it’s more terrifying than hatred, as hatred at least represents acknowledgement. You care about something a lot, just in a very negative manner. Apathy is nothingness. And that makes it chilling, to me at least.
Another one of my favorite words to use is l’ananas. It’s French for pineapple. I like this word so much because of the way it sounds. L’ananas is quite pleasing to the ear, especially compared to its English counterpart. The word just rolls off the tongue and comes across elevated and sophisticated to me (probably just because it is French). But, its meaning is so simple. Sometimes I find myself just saying l’ananas because I enjoy hearing it so much.
I’d have to say that my favorite word has always been nonchalant. The dictionary defines it as “coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited; casual”. What could be better than that? It is such a great word, and I tend to use it in everyday conversation. So many people misspell it, I’ve seen versions of “nonshalaunt” or even “non-shulaunt”. I think it flows great whenever I say it, sometimes I emphasize the “ch” sound, and other times I emphasize an “shh” sound instead. The definition of it is also just another reason why I love this word. I love simple, relaxed, casual situations and things. Feeling unconcerned tends to be how I feel when things become stressful. When someone nonchalantly says something, it sometimes implies a further meaning into what they actually meant, and it sparks my curiosity. The word nonchalant is hands-down my favorite phrase because not only does it flow wonderfully off the tounge, but I don’t find that many other people use it as often as I do, and I love the uniqueness.
Since there’s no more room for comments under your post, Abbey, I’m going to just write this here.
You did tell me about the orangutan story. By the way, I think ‘quail’ is a lovely word as well.
Some others that I’ve been meaning to mention would be:
‘Defenestrate’: This is a word I have loved since I learned it back in 8th grade. It means ‘to throw something/someone out of a window’. Isn’t that simply marvelous?
‘Borborygmi’ (pronounced BOR-boh-RIG-mee): When I first heard this term, I honestly thought that it was some terrible disease. Now I take to using it in regular conversations just to see what people’s reactions are. Do not be alarmed, though, if someone says (for whatever strange reason) that they believe they’re suffering from borborygmi. It is, in fact, not some horrendous virus…It’s simply the word for the rumbling sounds made when gas and fluids move through the intestines. In other words, it’s alias is stomach growling/rumbling.
I wasn’t going to post anymore words, but I remembered some more that I must add. I mainly love these for the way they sound.
‘Endoplasmic reticulum’, ‘limpic system’, ‘astigmatism’.
Also:
‘Enigma’/’Enigmatic’: Puzzling or mysterious.
‘Hypnopompic’: Of or relating to the partially conscious state that precedes complete awakening from sleep. (I favor this state very, very much.)
‘Quixotic’: Impulsive. (I have a habit of enjoying words with q’s in them.)
‘Octothorpe’: The symbol (#).
‘Persnickety’: Pretentious; snobbish; overparticular about trivial details.
‘Syzygy’: A group of rational, integral functions, which, when severally multiplied together, the sum of the products vanishes identically. OR The configuration of the sun, the moon, and the Earth lying in a straight line.
Additionally, other words that I DO use quite often in conversation include:
‘Discombobulated’: Means confused. Just…thoroughly confused. It’s also a fantastic word to say. It reminds me of ‘circumambulate’ (which basically means to walk around).
‘Swimmingly’: This refers do success and ease. If something’s going well, I say, “It’s going quite swimmingly.”
I know that we are well beyond this topic already but I was at rehearsal for Oklahoma and found another great word. At one point in the show, Andrew Carnes (as played by our own Zack Handler) calls another character a “Shike-poke” I love how rustic and archaic it sounds, especially the way that it is acted out within the scene.
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