If you scroll down the page a bit, you can see a blog entry I did a few weeks back now about the dreaded "C word". Lord knows why that entry proved so popular, but it provided me with more comments than any other blog entry I've ever done before. Perhaps that's the answer. Perhaps I've found my level. You lot love a bit of swearing, eh? Anyway, the comments received led to an interesting discussion, which was the aim, so thankyou very much.
The feedback got me thinking about words again, but this time in regards to words that I particularly like. So, whilst enduring another bout of insomnia the other night, I came up with a brief list of my favourite words:
- Discombobulation (a feeling of embarrassment that leaves you confused)
- Antipasti (the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal)
- Cracking
- Onomatopoeia (a type of word that sounds like the thing it is describing)
- Archipelago (group of islands)
- Blitzkrieg
- Singeing
Place names as well:
- Vladivostock
- Helsinki
- Monte Carlo
- Shrewsbury (when pronounced properly, but that's a debate for another time. Rest assured though - it's Shroes-bury)
- Gwent
- Grimsby
That last one is a joke. I'm sure there are many more, but I can't remember them right at this moment. So, what's your favourite word(s), friends?
I don't know why, but I've always quite liked the word "horrendous". Always thought it had more impact than "terrible". "Mellifluous" is one of my favourites too. It just sounds nice to me, which I suppose is quite appropriate when you find that the definition of the word is something that is pleasant to hear.
ReplyDeleteHi Ewar,
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard various theories about the pronunciation of Shrewsbury; apparently people who live in Shrewsbury tend to pronounce it as Shrew…and outsiders as Shrow…. The other theory was based on social class.
I don’t think the posting about the c word was popular because we like swearing – it is nice to be able to join in a discussion on a blog, and that was a controversial topic.
Shroesbury if you're posh. Shrewsbury if you're not from there. Shoesbry if you are.
ReplyDeleteOooh can of worms much?
ReplyDeleteI've always maintained that its 'Shroosbury' if you're from there, and 'Shroesbury' if you're not (with the rare exception being those from the town who want to sound posh). I'd say this is backed up by the fact that virtually everyone from Shrewsbury I've ever met calls it 'Shroosbury'.
Being the very cool person I am (...) I asked the opinion of a colleague from Shrews. His response was that its 'Shroosbury' if you're from the town or have always lived there, and 'Shroesbury' if you're not from the town.
*edit* on another note, my verification word (captcha is it? I think they call it that), for this comment was "mingr" - lolz!