Merriam-Webster recently asked on its Web site, “What are your favorite words?” Below are the top ten submissions:
defenestration
serendipity
onomatopoeia
discombobulate
plethora
callipygian
juxtapose
persnickety
kerfuffle
flibbertigibbet
This seems like it might be a sort of an intelligence test. How many of these words can you define? I got 9 out of 10 – callipygian stumped me – it means, “having shapely buttocks.”
Fortunately, http://www.m-w.com/dictionary offers a way to quickly get a definition, which is where I found that one.
I feel so simplistic… my favorite word I like to work into conversation is “poof.” I’ve used it on the blog before in the entry titled “And Poof! There were roofers!” Which, of course, could be followed shortly by, “And Poof! There goes your money.” (Credit to Greg on that last one.)
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