Today I was watching an episode of MythBusters with the kids, and someone used the word “quell.” That’s such a nice word, and it made me think about our friend Jim, who loved the words “compote” and “lozenge,” just because they are fun words to say.
Especially after a few drinks.
And then I started to think about my favorite words, and about what makes a word a favorite. As a parent, my favorite words are probably “bedtime” or “babysitter” or “playdate;” as a stylist, my least favorite words are “fashionista” and “recessionista” (ugh). But just in terms of language, there are words I love, words that are fun to use and fun to hear.
My five favorite words are …
1. Quotidian.
2. Obstreperous.
3. Synechdoche.
4. Genre.
5. Paragon.
I also like rhetorical; Wade thinks defenestrate is a good one. As it is, especially when you’re talking about rhetoric.
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I, too, really like genre — it’s so pretty, and it feels nice rolling off the tongue. To give you my list, though, I’d need to take a day and really give it some thought, because there are Just So Many! And now, I’m going to be thinking about it. I’m going to wake up in the middle of the night and knock over my water glass because I just HAVE to write down my word. So, thank you, Susan. I’ll be cursing you at 4am.
By Kristen on 02.19.09 8:01 pm | Permalink
I like genre as well. And also, plethora.
By Angella on 02.19.09 8:39 pm | Permalink
Although I’m not a fan of math, I’ve always loved the word quotient. Ooooh, and dyphemism! I think my all-time favorite is hyperbole, however…probably because it pretty well explains how I live my life. Or at least how I describe myself living my life.
By ellbee on 02.19.09 8:48 pm | Permalink
I love the word Obstreperous too! and Obstreperousness. It’s great!
By Lyssann on 02.19.09 8:57 pm | Permalink
One of my favorites…ubiquitous
By Gina on 02.19.09 9:12 pm | Permalink
A history professor once told me (and the other 30 people in the class) that using the word ubiquitous was a sign of having a college education! I told him after class that, with what I was paying, I needed a bigger sign!
By Torry on 02.19.09 9:54 pm | Permalink
Although Friday Playdate is a paragon in the genre of parenting blogs, and is my quotidian source for hilarious stories of motherhood and occasionally obstreperous children, I find myself learning ALL MANNER of things, including the fact that I should periodically check my dryer hose-thingie for wet lint, which I may then want to defenestrate. Perhaps “playdate” is an insufficient synecdoche for such an informative source. I ask myself the rhetorical question, “What will Susan come up with tomorrow?”
By Sue @ My Party of 6 on 02.20.09 9:12 am | Permalink
Ouch. I hurt my brain.
By Sue @ My Party of 6 on 02.20.09 9:13 am | Permalink
I’ve always liked “paradigm.” For example.
By Tara on 02.20.09 10:43 am | Permalink
Indubitably! That word is just so much fun to say…
By Rini on 02.20.09 1:14 pm | Permalink
I have always liked the word defenstrate. In fact, I often threaten to defenestrate my computer if it misbehaves. I also like the word “bedraggled”, which my husband did not believe was a word when I used it.
By Jessica @ A Bushel and a Peck on 02.20.09 2:16 pm | Permalink
lovely words, all. Except synecdoche, and that’s just my prejudice showing ‘cuz I don’t know what it means. Off to find the dictionary….
By Annie Pazoo on 02.20.09 2:26 pm | Permalink
I’ve been reading your blog for months and this one finally got me to comment. (Not that I wasn’t tempted before but finally the windows of opportunity and inclination have merged!) My favorite words are
1. Eclectic
2. Serendipity
3. Fortnight (yes, I’m British and you Americans seriously need this word. It’s so precise and yet so antiquated at the same time.)
4. Discombobulated
By Suzanne on 02.27.09 4:27 pm | Permalink
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