Discombobulate. It’s so fun to say, almost like supercalifragileciousexpealedosious (I hope to spelt that right…). I’ve actually yet to use discombobulate in my writing, though…Haha ManiacScribbler =^..^=
I don’t know if you wanted a word that I would use in a story. The word that popped to mind first was Shacka Kaun. Noun, Persons name. I have no idea in hell of what it means but I love the sound. I hate the use of first letters subsituted for a word. Most of us are capible of thinking of more then one word beginning with most letters.
Great question. So many beautiful words to choose from, but I love archipelago, too, because ten years ago, at a sunny fourth of July picnic, the man who is now my husband (and who I didn’t know at all then) used the word casually and confidently in conversation. And began to win my heart. Second favorite: coconut, because last year my daughter, who was then just learning words, would say “coconut” whenever something really, really delighted her (and it never had anything to do with coconuts, either). She made it sound so delicious, so fresh and new….
With prose like this…who has time for single words, favorite or otherwise?
From today’s Detroit Free Press, regarding Detroit-Windsor tunnel:
“Yet the tunnel deal is still not dead. Many times, the tunnel deal has appeared deceased, only to see the proverbial corpse roll over and blink its eyes.
Then I go to CSPAN, and get more pitch-perfect prose. And then, there’s a Detroiter on Project Runway this time around. Can it get any better?
Mom- there’s nothing quite as evocative as the term Mom, Mommy, Mother. Everyone has a story related to that word. Some people break into tears, some wax poetic, but everyone has something to say about Mom.
Jealousy – It immediately speaks to conflict and passion; it sounds beautiful; it looks beautiful – it takes all these vowels just to spell it – and it sounds sensual: say it – you could french kiss that word!
After I posted my previous one, I thought of some Scrabble words that I love. It’s funny how Scrabble makes you see the connection between letters and words. My favorite: I like the word TORT, then making a perpendicular word with an E to make it into TORTE. I love that two nearly identical words mean such different things.
The French words others have posted reminds me of the word frottage. And that reminds me of a joke…
Kid finds a welder’s mask. Puts it on, walks down the street flipping it up and down. Flip, flip, flip, flip, flip.
Old guy drives up, offers the kid a ride. Kid gets in the car. Old guy asks, “Do you know what frottage means?” Kid says no, keeps flipping the mask. Flip, flip, flip, flip, flip.
A little further down the road, old guy asks, “Do you know what mutual masturbation means?” Kid says no. Flip, flip, flip, flip, flip.
They keep driving along. Old guy asks, “Do you know what anal intercourse means?”
Kid stops flipping the mask. “Look mister, I ain’t really a welder.”
Barbara's blog says
Just give me “love.”
Lizz Huerta says
the word for city in Spanish, “Ciudad.” See-yoo-thad. Also, Persephone (a name is still a word, no?) And antelope.
nona says
I love the words “phagocyte,” “gamete,” and “zygote.” Three old favorites from high school biology class.
I cast yet another vote for the f-word. All roads do indeed lead to Rome.
I also like to swear in French. It’s much more fun than swearing in English and more effective, too, at least with the French.
betsy says
rapscallion
Anonymous says
Today I like the phrase durance vile.
Perchance is another favorite.
Tomorrow, who knows? Perhaps obsequious…
Jabez says
I agree with Erik that having a favorite word would be like having a favorite child.
My favorite word is “quaver.”
Just kidding, sons.
ManiacScribbler says
Discombobulate.
It’s so fun to say, almost like supercalifragileciousexpealedosious (I hope to spelt that right…). I’ve actually yet to use discombobulate in my writing, though…Haha
ManiacScribbler =^..^=
Delta Dupree says
Ecstasy.
Colorado Frog says
I don’t know if you wanted a word that I would use in a story. The word that popped to mind first was Shacka Kaun. Noun, Persons name. I have no idea in hell of what it means but I love the sound. I hate the use of first letters subsituted for a word. Most of us are capible of thinking of more then one word beginning with most letters.
outkast024 says
KERFUFFLE
So fun to say you can almost chew on it.
Liz says
After watching a marathon session of Project Runway, my new favorite word is….fierce.
Rachel says
Quat…which could mean a pustule, or it could mean a worthless, annoying person. Or, if you combine the two meanings, a pimply, annoying person…
Prince Balthazar says
I have a few. I think my favorite is soigne.(cant place the proper accent over the last “e.”)
I also love the French word D’accord, meaning I agree, or ok.
And then of course, there’s HAM.
JES says
Colorado Frog: You mean her?
Sarah MacLean says
rhubarb.
say it aloud. you’ll see why.
Sarah says
Great question. So many beautiful words to choose from, but I love archipelago, too, because ten years ago, at a sunny fourth of July picnic, the man who is now my husband (and who I didn’t know at all then) used the word casually and confidently in conversation. And began to win my heart.
Second favorite: coconut, because last year my daughter, who was then just learning words, would say “coconut” whenever something really, really delighted her (and it never had anything to do with coconuts, either). She made it sound so delicious, so fresh and new….
Jonathan Lyons says
resplendent
Anonymous says
Sorry, furious D, schadenfreude is well loved among many. And we know how to spell it and what it means.
Also I like:
inflammable
for being confusing.
Anonymous says
And by the by – what’s with that comma after the word “word” Nathan?
“We’re all word, people right?”
We are the word,
We are the people right…”
Elizabeth says
Many that keep changing, right now:
assuage & asshat
PS do you see/read comments on old posts?
Anne-Marie says
If we add other languages, my favourite French word:
cracher
-it means to spit and sounds like the action, pronounced cra-shay with a very sharp initial consonant blend.
Delta Dupree says
Hmm. Looks like mine didn’t make the cut.
Ecstasy.
Delta Dupree says
Well, hell, it did. Sorry for the duplicate.
gingersea says
I’ll post three:
3. Antepenultimate. Who would imagine there’d be a word for your third most favorite word? And just listen to the rhythm of it.
2. I’ll second slcard on gloaming.
1. Tmesis. This is a whole nother category of favorites. A word that *begins* with the letters T M !?!
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
With prose like this…who has time for single words, favorite or otherwise?
From today’s Detroit Free Press, regarding Detroit-Windsor tunnel:
“Yet the tunnel deal is still not dead. Many times, the tunnel deal has appeared deceased, only to see the proverbial corpse roll over and blink its eyes.
Then I go to CSPAN, and get more pitch-perfect prose. And then, there’s a Detroiter on Project Runway this time around. Can it get any better?
Just_Me says
Mom- there’s nothing quite as evocative as the term Mom, Mommy, Mother. Everyone has a story related to that word. Some people break into tears, some wax poetic, but everyone has something to say about Mom.
Pamela Davies says
malarkey
Steve M. says
Cerulean.
Kara says
Horrideous is the current favourite. But I just introduced to contiguous today which I’m also quite liking.
Hmm on contemplation I think I have a thing for ‘ous’ words in general.
Anonymous says
star
kdm17 says
Mine would have to be
onomatopoeia
Probably the only word from english class I remember and enjoy!
NotJana says
Grumpy.
I don’t know why, but it makes me smile…
Simon Haynes says
‘bestseller’, closely followed by ‘new contract’ and ‘royalties’
Gargi says
Apparently and paraphernalia
Anonymous says
Packet
But you have to say it in a British accent.
It just rolls off the tongue and has those sharp consonant sounds. Just lovely.
Elise D.
qugrainne.com says
balderdash and fiddlesticks –
great (alternate) vulgarities allowed in the classroom
Sheila Lamb says
Another vote for discombobulated.
Lily says
absurd… best! word! ever!
Anonymous says
One that has become a favorite of mine over the past six years:
IMPEACH
MotherReader says
I must love the word “just” because I have to edit it out of my writing all the time.
Picking one though, I’d say “lackluster.”
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
That does kind of have a ring to it:
“One that has become a favorite of mine over the past six years:
IMPEACH”
I’ll pretend for the moment “perpwalk” is one word, so I can claim it as a favorite (when it comes before the phrase “coming out of the WH”)
Jill says
Jealousy –
It immediately speaks to conflict and passion; it sounds beautiful; it looks beautiful – it takes all these vowels just to spell it – and it sounds sensual: say it – you could french kiss that word!
Michelle says
Hmm. I’ve recently been in love with onomatopoeic words. Like glut. And slunk.
Although the last time I read a discussion on this topic, someone submitted skullduggery and I have to admit that’s pretty awesome too.
Bija Andrew Wright says
After I posted my previous one, I thought of some Scrabble words that I love. It’s funny how Scrabble makes you see the connection between letters and words. My favorite: I like the word TORT, then making a perpendicular word with an E to make it into TORTE. I love that two nearly identical words mean such different things.
pseudosu says
Yesterday — EFFLUVIA
Today — FLEER
Anonymous says
I have to say that shlundle is my favorite word, followed by home-made strawberry rhubarb pie.
Moose says
The French words others have posted reminds me of the word frottage. And that reminds me of a joke…
Kid finds a welder’s mask. Puts it on, walks down the street flipping it up and down. Flip, flip, flip, flip, flip.
Old guy drives up, offers the kid a ride. Kid gets in the car. Old guy asks, “Do you know what frottage means?” Kid says no, keeps flipping the mask. Flip, flip, flip, flip, flip.
A little further down the road, old guy asks, “Do you know what mutual masturbation means?” Kid says no. Flip, flip, flip, flip, flip.
They keep driving along. Old guy asks, “Do you know what anal intercourse means?”
Kid stops flipping the mask. “Look mister, I ain’t really a welder.”
Thank you, I’ll be here all week.
Mark J Daniels says
I like pugnacious – seems to define me quite nicely!
Catherine J Gardner says
Pyroclastic
Erica says
anodyne