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Author Topic: Merriam-Webster Favorite Words  (Read 9587 times)

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Gimpson

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Merriam-Webster Favorite Words
« on: May 26, 2004, 02:56:33 pm »

Merriam-Webster recently took nominations for favorite words, and have released their top ten list.  The top ten:

1.  defenestration
2.  serendipity
3.  onomatopoeia
4.  discombobulate
5.  plethora
6.  callipygian
7.  juxtapose
8.  persnickety
9.  kerfuffle
10. flibbertigibbet

Although I'll agree with defenestration as the best word ever, I'm upset that "quixotic" and "curvilinear" didn't make the list.  (Well, quixotic did make the runner up list.)

So what other favorites did they miss?
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AugustWest

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« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2004, 03:03:28 pm »

sesquipedalian
prolix
otiose
waffles
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Limmo

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« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2004, 03:56:59 pm »

abacinate

festive

swimmingly
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jay-ell

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« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2004, 04:22:39 pm »

shrapnel

By a mile.
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jough

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Merriam-Webster Favorite Words
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2004, 04:33:26 pm »

I'm guessing that these are favourite words based on definition rather than the aural pleasure of saying them.

Because the sexiest word in the English language is "twelve."

Say it slowly and immerse yourself in dialectical hedonism.

CortJstr

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« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2004, 04:39:33 pm »

For some reason I've always liked ennui.
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wombat

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« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2004, 04:43:55 pm »

Obelisk.

And of course, wombat.

Twelve?
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AugustWest

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« Reply #7 on: May 26, 2004, 04:49:07 pm »

Quote from: "jough"
I'm guessing that these are favourite words based on definition rather than the aural pleasure of saying them.

Because the sexiest word in the English language is "twelve."

Say it slowly and immerse yourself in dialectical hedonism.


No, mine were based on pure speaking pleasure.  Prolix.... prolix.... prolix.

If that word didn't mean what it does, you could use it as the name for an oral sex league.
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side_show

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« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2004, 06:00:05 pm »

For actualy usage I've always enjoyed: salacious.  

For its' sound quality:squeegee.
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arkabee

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« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2004, 06:16:11 pm »

facetious and ubiquitous are my fave's.

they're so _dreamy_, *swoon*.
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Choop

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« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2004, 06:23:53 pm »

Delicatessen
Supplicate
Edifice (or edification)

On the other hand, this is my favorite pronunciation on m-w.com (link to term) - yes, it's direct to the WAV file, but that's because m-w hasn't figured out that flash is better for embedded audio in this type of application than the <embed> tag
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Gimpson

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Merriam-Webster Favorite Words
« Reply #11 on: May 26, 2004, 06:27:30 pm »

Quote from: "Choopernickel"
On the other hand, this is my favorite pronunciation on m-w.com (link to term) - yes, it's direct to the WAV file, but that's because m-w hasn't figured out that flash is better for embedded audio in this type of application than the <embed> tag


I did not know that that was an acceptable pronunciation.  I am very happy to hear that it is.
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AlohaDawg

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« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2004, 06:49:48 pm »

I realize that the thrust is probably English words but I also like

Gazpacho
Salsa (like saaaaals-SA...there is an erotic word)


Also:

Triskadekaphobia
Cantilever
Caribou
Pusillanimous
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jough

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« Reply #13 on: May 26, 2004, 07:00:56 pm »

My favourite word of all time is "insouciant."

Bozack

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« Reply #14 on: May 26, 2004, 08:55:59 pm »

I've got to go with Umberto Eco and say that the most erotic word is "isosceles." That word is HOT.
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