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Lovely Language
https://archive.holyworlds.org/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=5026		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Aemi [ December 1st, 2011, 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Lovely Language
A long while ago, I read an article on the Miriam-Webster Dictionary website, asking commenters to share what they thought the most beautiful word in the English language is. The comments were so interesting that I have decided to start a similar thread here.

Now by "most beautiful word", I don't mean the word that has the most lovely meaning or connotation. I mean the word that sounds the prettiest. That is simply a delight to say.

Here's mine: Cadence [KAY-dense].

It is a musical term meaning "place of silence". It's basically a rest in the music. I love that word! I love saying it, whispering it to myself, letting the lovely consonants slip across my lips. I'm kind of considering naming a daughter that someday. :cool:

So, which English word is most beautiful?
Author:  Elly [ December 1st, 2011, 1:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Ooh. Cadence is a beautiful word. :D I'm not sure which one I like best.
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ December 1st, 2011, 2:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Great topic! It's fun and informative to study the sound of words, especially in how that effects how we use them. I know there are words I enjoy saying for the sound - like "irregardless." Technically that's redundant, but the sound is quite fun and I think the stressed "irr-" beginning conveys the essence of what I mean when I use that word.

However, that's not a really "pretty" word, just a fun one. :D If I think of some pretty ones, I shall post them here.
Author:  Cheyenne [ December 1st, 2011, 2:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
That is a pretty word. :)

I myself love the word "evanescent" (fleeting, vanishing, fading away). It just sounds so pretty and reminds me of faeries and stuff.
Author:  J. Grace Pennington [ December 1st, 2011, 3:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
I've always been partial to the word ethereal. :D
Author:  Zoe M. Scrivener [ December 1st, 2011, 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Aniese beat me to it. :D I like ethereal.
Author:  Aemi [ December 2nd, 2011, 3:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Evanescent.
Ethereal.

Oh, yes. Those are lovely words. They sound like what they are, don't they?

Irregardless.
Hm. That is fun to say.
Author:  Lady Elanor [ December 2nd, 2011, 5:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
In Spanish I love the sound of the words bienvenida (you pronounce the v as a b) and corazon (you pronounce the z as a th).

In English I like the sound of the word avuncular. :)
Author:  Aemi [ December 2nd, 2011, 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Avuncular. :) That is fun to say. How do you pronounce that, exactly?

And, are you talking about Spanish from Spain, or from Mexico/South America?
Author:  Lady Elanor [ December 3rd, 2011, 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Spanish from Spain. :D

Av-un (as if you were saying Uncle without the cle) - que- lar (sounds like Mars without the s. Av-un-que-lar. I hope that makes some sort of sense. :D
Author:  Elly [ December 3rd, 2011, 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
I liked the word, "Remembrance". Very pretty and it kind of slips off your tongue. :D
Author:  Aemi [ December 3rd, 2011, 8:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Lady Elanor wrote:
Spanish from Spain. :D
Interesting cultural difference, there. ;) I'm used to Latin American Spanish, and those words would be pronounced differently.
*mutters "avuncular" to herself* :)
Author:  Lady Elanor [ December 5th, 2011, 6:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Aah, yes, I heard that it was different in some parts. :D
Author:  Aemi [ February 25th, 2012, 12:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
The word "Hallelujah" or "Alleluia" is pretty beautiful.
Author:  Cadenza [ February 25th, 2012, 12:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
What a creative topic!
Cadence... cadence... indeed, that is really pretty! I always like words referring to music, like pianissimo, Allegretto, or (my name on the HF forum) cadenza.
And then this word may not be especially pretty, but it is certainly fun to say - epitome.
Have you noticed that all our lovely words mean something lovely as well? I wonder what that tells us about the human brain. :)
Author:  Lady Elanor [ February 25th, 2012, 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Phylis Patschske wrote:
What a creative topic!
Cadence... cadence... indeed, that is really pretty! I always like words referring to music, like pianissimo, Allegretto, or (my name on the HF forum) cadenza.
And then this name may not be especially pretty, but it is certainly fun to say - epitome.
Have you noticed that all our lovely words mean something lovely as well? I wonder what that tells us about the human brain. :)


I love words that refer to music as well, Phylis. :)
Author:  Aemi [ February 25th, 2012, 11:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Right; Italian seems to be a beautiful language.
Author:  Lady Elanor [ March 4th, 2012, 8:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Aemi wrote:
Right; Italian seems to be a beautiful language.


It is; there are so many words really that are beautiful. I love the word coccoodrillo, even the spelling looks pretty, I think. It means crocodile. :)
Author:  Lady Eruwaedhiel [ May 3rd, 2012, 8:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
*laughs* Philli, irregardless is actually a colloquialism, not a "proper" word. The form we're "supposed" to use is just regardless. Irregardless is a double negative. It is fun to say, though. ;) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irregardless

Hmm. I've always liked the word eidolon. Although, at risk of borrowing from my mom, I love to say binomial nomenclature. (by-NOME-ee-all NOME-en-clay-chure). I wonder if it has something to do with the "nome" syllable being emphasized in both. I also like svelte and descant. I've always been partial to D names and words, for no apparent reason. :D
Author:  Roager the Ogre [ May 7th, 2012, 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
I've always liked the sound of Memory. However, my favorite word to say is Discombobulate.
Author:  Lady Elanor [ May 8th, 2012, 8:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Roager wrote:
I've always liked the sound of Memory. However, my favorite word to say is Discombobulate.


Memory does have a nice sound to it. Wow, that is a funny sounding word, :rofl:
Author:  Elly [ May 8th, 2012, 10:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
The word 'inspector' is fun to say, as well. :D
Author:  Idril Aravis Mimetes [ May 15th, 2012, 11:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
I like perspicacity. :)
Author:  Kiev Shawn [ May 15th, 2012, 2:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
I have a long list of words that have struck my ear from time to time...

Insipid
Wood (say it again, and let it form mental pictures...)
Ethereal...
Languid
Atmospheric
Slice
Ripple
Whippoorwill
Ladle
Thrumming
Breathy
Seaglass
Impression
Idlewile (Spelled this way intentionally... Read it in a book somewhere)
Pendant
Glossy
Supple
Author:  Akembra Mimetes [ May 15th, 2012, 2:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
I actually have a document in my files full of words like this! I thought I was so strange for making a list :)

I like aurora, beautiful, coriander, fragrant, intrinsic, magnolia, trippingly, and turquoise, to name a few.
Author:  Elly [ May 15th, 2012, 3:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Aurora is a pretty word. I think it would be a pretty name, too, though spelled differently. :D
Author:  Lady Phaidra [ May 15th, 2012, 9:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
I have plenty of favorite words that I like simply because of how they sound, but two that come to mind are mystic and tendril.
Author:  Elly [ May 19th, 2012, 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Oh, yes - those are pretty words, Lady Phaidra. :D
Author:  RunningWolf [ May 19th, 2012, 4:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Sphygmomanometer. :dieshappy:
Author:  Lady Elanor [ May 23rd, 2012, 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Lycanis Mimetes wrote:
Sphygmomanometer. :dieshappy:


:rofl: Nice one.
Author:  RunningWolf [ May 23rd, 2012, 8:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Lady Elanor Mimetes wrote:
Lycanis Mimetes wrote:
Sphygmomanometer. :dieshappy:


:rofl: Nice one.

Thank you, found that one in an old book...I think by Rutherford Montgomery or some such author. ;)

I also kind of like the word Emanate, it sounds sort of poetic in a abstract way especially when coupled with its meaning. :D
Author:  Lady Eruwaedhiel [ June 4th, 2012, 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
The word with the longest repeated sound in the English language (IIRC) is strengthlessnesses.
Author:  Lady Elanor [ June 6th, 2012, 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Eleutheria Mimetes wrote:
The word with the longest repeated sound in the English language (IIRC) is strengthlessnesses.


Hah. Now that sounds nice, in my opinion. *Goes 'round the house repeating this word to myself* :D Especially if you say the s like gollum would. ;)
Author:  RunningWolf [ June 6th, 2012, 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Lady Elanor Mimetes wrote:
Eleutheria Mimetes wrote:
The word with the longest repeated sound in the English language (IIRC) is strengthlessnesses.


Hah. Now that sounds nice, in my opinion. *Goes 'round the house repeating this word to myself* :D Especially if you say the s like gollum would. ;)

:shock: That'd be like.... Ssstrengthlessnesseseseeess, Precious! :rofl:
Author:  Aleena Mimetes [ June 6th, 2012, 1:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
I love the word Precious...
Author:  Idril Aravis Mimetes [ June 6th, 2012, 7:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Widdershins. Though I think it's a pretty old word and almost no longer in use.
Author:  Lady Elanor [ June 7th, 2012, 5:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Idril Aravis Mimetes wrote:
Widdershins. Though I think it's a pretty old word and almost no longer in use.


I've never heard that one before. :D
Author:  RunningWolf [ June 7th, 2012, 9:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Lady Elanor Mimetes wrote:
Idril Aravis Mimetes wrote:
Widdershins. Though I think it's a pretty old word and almost no longer in use.


I've never heard that one before. :D

Neither have I, what does it mean?
Author:  Arien [ June 7th, 2012, 9:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Lycanis Mimetes wrote:
Lady Elanor Mimetes wrote:
Idril Aravis Mimetes wrote:
Widdershins. Though I think it's a pretty old word and almost no longer in use.


I've never heard that one before. :D

Neither have I, what does it mean?

I think it's counterclockwise.
Author:  Akembra Mimetes [ June 7th, 2012, 10:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
:rofl: widdershins? It sounds like a funny name to me. "Get out of here, you good-for-nothing widdershins!" :rofl:

I also like the sounds in ancestry and bequeathed.
Author:  Idril Aravis Mimetes [ June 7th, 2012, 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Arien Mimetes wrote:
Lycanis Mimetes wrote:
Lady Elanor Mimetes wrote:
Idril Aravis Mimetes wrote:
Widdershins. Though I think it's a pretty old word and almost no longer in use.


I've never heard that one before. :D

Neither have I, what does it mean?

I think it's counterclockwise.


Yes, that's what it means. :D
Author:  RunningWolf [ June 7th, 2012, 8:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Idril Aravis Mimetes wrote:
Arien Mimetes wrote:
Lycanis Mimetes wrote:
Lady Elanor Mimetes wrote:
Idril Aravis Mimetes wrote:
Widdershins. Though I think it's a pretty old word and almost no longer in use.


I've never heard that one before. :D

Neither have I, what does it mean?

I think it's counterclockwise.


Yes, that's what it means. :D

Okay, thanks Arien and Idril. :D
Author:  Cadenza [ June 8th, 2012, 2:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
I love that word! (Widdershins). Once I got on the internet and found all these awesome and obselete words.

Gamp – a large umbrella
Scrippage – personal belongings and baggage
Wabbit – kinda unwell or exhausted
Woofits – an unwell feeling esp. headache; a moody depression
Gangrel – child who is just learning to walk

:dieshappy:
Author:  Svensteel Mimetes [ June 8th, 2012, 2:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Eleutheria Mimetes wrote:
colloquialism

Haha, you just used what I think is one of the prettiest words! Colloquial... it's just so fun to say... That, beleaguer, and opulent.

Eleutheria Mimetes wrote:
binomial nomenclature

Hehe! That's my second favorite word ever! Second only to antidisestablishmentarianism of course!
Author:  Lady Elanor [ June 23rd, 2012, 7:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Phylis Patschske wrote:
Eleutheria Mimetes wrote:
binomial nomenclature

Hehe! That's my second favorite word ever! Second only to antidisestablishmentarianism of course!


*Tries with no success to pronounce those words*
Author:  Lady Eruwaedhiel [ June 26th, 2012, 7:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
I just realized I love the word whiplash. Huh.
Author:  Aemi [ June 27th, 2012, 3:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Hey...yeah, I like that word, too. It actually sounds like a whiplash. :cool:

Thank y'all for the great words. :D
Author:  Willow Wenial Mimetes [ June 27th, 2012, 4:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
*grins* Well...these don't always SOUND beautiful, but I love saying them. :D

Doily
Besmirch
Harmony
Allegra
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Lolla-Lee-Lou (for all you Dr. Seuss Fans out there. ;) )
Vanilla
Spanghew (Meaning: to throw violently into the air; especially, to throw (a frog) into the air from the end of a stick)
Author:  RunningWolf [ June 27th, 2012, 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
Willow Wenial Mimetes wrote:
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


I have a great aunt that serves as a missionary there!

Willow Wenial Mimetes wrote:
Besmirch


:rofl: I like the way that one sounds...
Author:  Willow Wenial Mimetes [ June 27th, 2012, 6:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lovely Language
The alternative to Besmirch is to Besmirf which means to turn someone blue. ;)
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