What's your favorite word?
Merriam-Webster asked visitors to its
on-line site to enter their favorite word, and the results are in. The
2004 Top Ten Favorite Words are:
defenestration
serendipity
onomatopoeia
discombobulate
plethora
callipygian
juxtapose
persnickety
kerfuffle
flibbertigibbet
I have to admit I'm a it flabbergasted
by this list. Up until today had never heard of callipygian, and thought
kerfuffle was a made up word. Of the 10, I think I only use one or two
- plethora and juxtapose - with any regularity. Flibbertigibbet evokes
a time gone by as does persnickety, and onomatopoeia only seems appropriate
when having a discussion about grammar or linguistics.
This contest also reminded me of Bravo
TV's
Inside the Actor's Studio where
the guest is asked to offer their answers to the Bernard Pivot questionnaire.
Of course the first question is "What's your favorite word?"
Some of the responses have been:
Kiss
Authentic
Prestidigitation
Fetching
Yes
Rapture
Mellifluous
Webster's list seems to be about words
that are fun to say. This list seems more personal and one I can relate
to. I personally love the word Yes especially when it comes from a customer
:-)
A funny aside - I always spell check
my blog entries before publishing them. Today, callipygian and kerfuffle
didn't pass the Lotus Notes spell checker. Apparently they aren't favorite
words at IBM :-))).
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