This is a little fun thing inspired by one of Tess Hilmo's tips about keeping a word journal. I've just started compiling my own for inspiration. So, let's share our favorite words. Here's the first few on my list:
clutch (n.)
twine (v.)
scrabble (v.)
skirl (n. or v....I like them both)
I have oodles more (oodles is one of them), but I'll leave it at that for now. What are some of your favorite words?
4 comments:
My all time favorite word is thixotropic, but I have yet to use it in a story. I also love words that are fun to say aloud: caterpillar, bubbles, caboodle, hippopotamus, sticky, hush. Words like that have a personality, and bring pictures to your mind when you say them. Anyone else see illustrations from Goodnight Moon when you say "hush" aloud?
I've always liked the word astound. I hear a 'boing' sound on the -tound- part.
I also love the word atavistic.
So far, I've had to look up 'skirl', 'thixotropic',and 'atavistic'. Good ones!
I like some words that rarely come up in conversation. They're like a pair of outrageous heels you wear once a year. (Or never, if you're me. But you get the idea...)
defenestration (thanks, Miss Snark!)
sesquipidalian (it is what it describes)
virga (weather term)
Then there are some that are just fun to say:
obfuscation
wonky
twee
When it comes to writing, I love it when writers use normal words in extraordinary ways. Take this bit from Lief Enger's Peace Like a River:
"Peeping chicks at Easter time, spring generally, a clear sunrise after an overcast week- a *miracle*, people say, as if they've been educated from greeting cards. I'm sorry, but nope. Such things are worth our notice every day of the week, but to call them miracles evaporates the strength of the word."
"... evaporates the strength..." Holy Moses. Nothing new or fancy there, but, boy, can Enger string a sentence.
I love that you said "string a sentence". :)
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