I had the opportunity to use my favourite word this morning, and then I thought: favourite words are a thing, right? they’re totally a thing! people have favourite words! RIGHT?!
A brief enquiry on Twitter incidated that yes, other people also have favourite words. “Defenestration” is remarkably popular. I had an “acquiesce” (“Love that triphthong.”) and a “semester” (Swedish for ‘vacation’) and an ‘obstensibly’, which I can also really get behind, because what a great word to say. It’s delicious!
My own favourite word is antepenultimate, which I love not only because I think it’s fun to say but because I’m simply delighted that there’s a word that means “third to last.” I just think that’s lovely.
Do you have a favourite word? If so, what is it, and why do you love it?
I quite like pervicacy
Today my favorite word is triskaidekaphobia, pronounced TRIS ke DEK ah FOH bee ah, with the strongest stress on the (wait for it) the antepenultimate syllable. Not only is it fun to say but it’s especially appropriate today as it means fear of the number 13. I don’t suffer from this phobia which is good considering I was born on the 13th of February ☺.
I hope it’s not too late to reply to this!
Mine is “ineffable”, and obviously I can’t describe why it’s my favorite…