Your Favorite/Most Beautiful Word

I’m quite fond of ‘avarice’. Too bad it means something not-so-beautiful (greed). I like ‘elysian’, too. I also like reading pretty words. One could say it is an elysian experience for me. So what are some others?

I like “Bombay.” And “rocket.” And my newest cat’s name, “Pip.”

Oh nice ones.

I like devious. And deviated. Those just seem out of the norm- well that’s more what they mean…

Malicious. This one’s always sounded so cool to say…

I can’t think of anything else…I’m coming back later.

Good idea…Let’s expand the guidelines to include just plain cool words too. Such as ‘equalize.’ And ‘acerbate.’ And anyone who doesn’t think ‘acephalous’ is cool should be beheaded.

One of my favorites would have to be inveigh.

‘Jetliner’. It’s classy and fast.

Some maven pointed out that some words like “gonorrhea”, “syphilis” and “diarrhea” sound beautiful, if you ignore what they REALLY mean. And words like “crepuscular” (pertaining to twilight) sound downright ugly, even though they mean something else entirely.

[hijack]Anyone remember the guy in DC who was almost hanged for using the racist-sounding “niggardly” (cheap)? Same principle. [/hijack]

Robin

I like “seborrhea”. Kinda slides on your tongue.

David Howard was forced out of DC Mayor Anthony Williams’ the Cabinet after he used the word “niggardly” at a staff meeting. Several people present thought he had used a racist epithet.

I feel his pain. I myself have been reported to my supervisor for use of the word “obfuscator”. Other words you should steer clear of are “puissance” and “pulchritude”. I don’t know what they mean, but they sound nasty, and as the Howard incident proves, one can’t be too careful.

While you’re at it, be sure to never mention the long dead lamented inhabitants of Phrygia, with their Phrygian pottery and their Phrygian music.

My favorites are callipygous, aubergine, credenza, garbanzo. Oubliette (a dungeon with an opening only in the ceiling) is kind of cool, too.

John Cleese: Gorn!

I’m rather partial to effulgent.

My favorite word is politicking. So many people don’t believe it’s a word! Besides, it’s fun to say. That, and nictitating.

I’m fond of cerulean and exsanguinate. Oh, also kaleidoscope, ethereal, and serenity.

“Squamous” is a good one, as are “cyclopean” and “eldritch” (oh goodness, my Lovecraft is showing!). “Logorrhea” is also a fine word, and one I frequently find myself using, when I am inevitably asked, “What the hell is your problem?”

The most magnificent word in the English language, however, is “booty.”

Spike fan, are ya?

My favorite words are heinous and befouled. God knows why.

Defenestration

A very useful word.

“Following his defenestration he was rendered acephalous.”

I’ve always liked that one the best.

Puissance, I think is powerfulness. Er…power. And pulchritude, probably beauty or pretty-ness. (That’s what the roots mean in French and Latin.) Not so bad as you thought! :slight_smile:

Virginal. I like using this word. (Has a fun effect on Gunslinger, anyway.)

Adore.

Octoplet. Spelled wrong, I’m sure. (“It rolls off your tongue, and into your heart…”

Ergo. Its one of those words that makes you feel so damned scholarly. I never use it though…makes me feel too pretentious.

Debachaued, and disillusioned.

These words are so great. :slight_smile:

Callipygian is a great word. I think DrPinky has good taste.

But I have always liked the word “snivelling”.