The most beautiful word in the English language - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Mephisto2 · 11-25-2004, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Mother is the most beautiful word in the English language, followed by passion, smile, love and eternity, according to a worldwide survey released today.

The British Council, the government agency that promotes British culture around the globe, quizzed more than 40,000 people in 102 non-English speaking countries on their favourite words.

Fantastic, destiny, freedom, liberty and tranquility filled out the top 10 ranking of most beautiful English words, out of a list of 70 words -- a number deliberately chosen to mark the British Council's 70th anniversary.

Others that made the grade included lollipop at number 42, flip-flop (59), hen night (70) and banana (41), along with twinkle (23), hiccup (63), hodgepodge (64), whoops (56) and oi (61).

"It's interesting that mother, the only word of the 70 that describes a direct relationship between people, came top of the poll," said British Council spokesman Greg Selby.

Father didn't make the list at all.

REF: http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Mum...219651661.html

So what words do you like? The sound, the meaning, the spelling?

I like:

agog
gnarly
conflagration
epiphany

Mr Mephisto

WillyPete · 11-25-2004, 01:08 AM

Not too sure about that: "motherFu......."

d*d · 11-25-2004, 01:50 AM

...........cker.
I likethe sound of
sponge
pod
whippersnapper
plexus
bum
staunch

I could go on but I feel i'm sharing too much

DJ Happy · 11-25-2004, 02:32 AM

Moist

Bollocks

kiwiman · 11-25-2004, 03:29 AM

I find the word shampoo hilarious.

jon_264 · 11-25-2004, 03:30 AM

I like the words 'pay-day' and hometime

WillyPete · 11-25-2004, 03:59 AM

I like the word "yes".
It always makes me happy to hear it.

SecretMethod70 · 11-25-2004, 04:06 AM

cellar door.

bookiebye · 11-25-2004, 04:39 AM

muffin, you can't help but snicker when you say it...

tecoyah · 11-25-2004, 04:56 AM

ephemeral

extraordinary

splendid

intrepid

glorious

roboshark · 11-25-2004, 05:26 AM

raunchy

repugnant

thingstodo · 11-25-2004, 06:01 AM

infinity
magical
single malt scotch
fresh
supercalafragalisticexpialidotious
free
poodle

How's that for a really weird combiniation?

ShaniFaye · 11-25-2004, 06:24 AM

kilt
celtic
snuggle

Janey · 11-25-2004, 06:26 AM

wainscotting

d*d · 11-25-2004, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretMethod70

cellar door.

I was going to put that but it's a phrase not a word (yes I am a smartsarse and nobody likes me)

Ustwo · 11-25-2004, 09:56 AM

I think they ment the most sappy words

LIMilf · 11-25-2004, 10:16 AM

Something I had yesterday

Open Bar

powerclown · 11-25-2004, 10:28 AM

mulligatawny

denim · 11-25-2004, 10:31 AM

Nononono... the best word in the English language is "yes".

Stick · 11-25-2004, 10:38 AM

Rend
mutilate
flog

Looking back over my list leads me to think I must have some serious emotional problem.

Charlatan · 11-25-2004, 11:16 AM

Belly
fluglehorn
shuttlecock
persimmon
chutney

they are just fun to say... especially if you repeat them ad nauseum...

Muligatawny isn't english, is it?

Janey · 11-25-2004, 11:54 AM

I think its Indian. So is persimmon and chutney if memory serves...

How about the word serendipity...

Coppertop · 11-25-2004, 12:05 PM

defenestration

KWSN · 11-25-2004, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretMethod70

cellar door.

DAMN! beat me to it.

twas a matter of time.

I like...

plump
peach
lathe
glare

maestroxl · 11-25-2004, 01:46 PM

zenith
alacrity
panacea
sycophant
apocryphal
myopia
sardonic
sophomore
abysmal

KellyC · 11-25-2004, 02:23 PM

Vex

Simple to spell, easy to say, yet, I don't see a lot of people using it on a daily basis. And it has the X', which makes it sound uber cool.

Uber
Is also another word that I like

Mephisto2 · 11-25-2004, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustwo

I think they ment the most sappy words

Haha... you know, you're absolutely right Ustwo. I guess when people were asked what they considered the most "beautiful", they just got all emotional and silly...

Non-sappy words I like also include

rambunctious
archipelago
onomatopoeia

Mr Mephisto

gremlinx8 · 11-25-2004, 03:35 PM

I've always kind of liked the word entropy.

Tophat665 · 11-25-2004, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretMethod70

cellar door.

Watched Donnie Darko Last Night.

Words I like (with beautiful or interesting sounds):
Mellifluous
Euphonia
Synapse
Sychronicity
Discombobulated
Fellatio

OFKU0 · 11-25-2004, 08:11 PM

some of mine;

box
gash
pie
beaver
snapper
clam

Nefir · 11-25-2004, 10:07 PM

Odd-sounding words appeal to me more than other, more normal ones...

colloquial
masticate
coitus
loofah
flabbergasted
bailiwick
excogitated

Manic_Skafe · 11-25-2004, 10:18 PM

Phallic
Cacophonous
Compendium
Agoraphobic
Coquetry
Grub

I could do this all night.

jrclark · 11-25-2004, 10:42 PM

bork bork bork!

pinkie · 11-25-2004, 10:45 PM

Xyla
Grace
Phoenix
Nanny
Love

guthmund · 11-25-2004, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Mephisto

onomatopoeia

Naming something by vocally imitating the sound it makes. I learned this word in freshman english in high school. I use it as often as I can just to see the faces of WTF? That and it makes me look smart.

Just a few....

poppycock
willy-nilly
wallop

I like words that sound made up....

Date the Banana · 11-25-2004, 11:47 PM

Big fan of scintillating myself. Hard to work it into the conversation, but always gives me that air of refinement that my appearance does not...

viejo gringo · 11-26-2004, 08:39 PM

DAD

GRAND PA

radioguy · 11-26-2004, 08:50 PM

i love the word DEBAUCHERY, don't know why, i just do

ratbastid · 11-26-2004, 09:02 PM

Mucilage

Ampersand

Passport

Budgerigar

stevie667 · 11-27-2004, 01:18 PM

Tachyon

It always gives me goose bumps when i hear it, because you know when they're around, even if your about to be phasered or chopped, everything will turn out ok

11-25-2004, 04:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	cellar door. __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

11-25-2004, 04:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
bookiebye Upright	muffin, you can't help but snicker when you say it... __________________ Get it done!

11-25-2004, 04:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
tecoyah Illusionary	ephemeral extraordinary splendid intrepid glorious __________________ Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

11-25-2004, 05:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
roboshark Crazy	raunchy repugnant __________________ I want no escape.

11-25-2004, 06:01 AM	#12 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	infinity magical single malt scotch fresh supercalafragalisticexpialidotious free poodle How's that for a really weird combiniation? __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

11-25-2004, 01:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
WillyPete Addict	Not too sure about that: "motherFu......."

11-25-2004, 01:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
d*d Addict	...........cker. I likethe sound of sponge pod whippersnapper plexus bum staunch I could go on but I feel i'm sharing too much

11-25-2004, 02:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
DJ Happy Psycho	Moist Bollocks

11-25-2004, 03:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
kiwiman Crazy Location: New Zealand	I find the word shampoo hilarious.

11-25-2004, 03:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
jon_264 Tilted	I like the words 'pay-day' and hometime

11-25-2004, 03:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
WillyPete Addict	I like the word "yes". It always makes me happy to hear it.

11-25-2004, 06:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	kilt celtic snuggle __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

11-25-2004, 06:26 AM	#14 (permalink)
Janey Junkie Location: Toronto	wainscotting

11-25-2004, 09:56 AM	#16 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	I think they ment the most sappy words __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.

11-25-2004, 10:16 AM	#17 (permalink)
LIMilf Crazy	Something I had yesterday Open Bar __________________ My goal is to be rookie of the year...

11-25-2004, 12:05 PM	#23 (permalink)
Coppertop Getting Medieval on your ass Location: 13th century Europe	defenestration

11-25-2004, 10:28 AM	#18 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	mulligatawny

11-25-2004, 10:31 AM	#19 (permalink)
denim Banned Location: Massachusetts, USA	Nononono... the best word in the English language is "yes".

11-25-2004, 10:38 AM	#20 (permalink)
Stick Psycho Location: Sydney, Australia	Rend mutilate flog Looking back over my list leads me to think I must have some serious emotional problem.

11-25-2004, 11:16 AM	#21 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Belly fluglehorn shuttlecock persimmon chutney they are just fun to say... especially if you repeat them ad nauseum... Muligatawny isn't english, is it? __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke Last edited by Charlatan; 11-25-2004 at 11:39 AM..

11-25-2004, 11:54 AM	#22 (permalink)
Janey Junkie Location: Toronto	I think its Indian. So is persimmon and chutney if memory serves... How about the word serendipity...

11-25-2004, 01:46 PM	#25 (permalink)
maestroxl buck fush Location: Tucson, AZ	zenith alacrity panacea sycophant apocryphal myopia sardonic sophomore abysmal __________________ be the change you want

11-25-2004, 02:23 PM	#26 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	Vex Simple to spell, easy to say, yet, I don't see a lot of people using it on a daily basis. And it has the X', which makes it sound uber cool. Uber Is also another word that I like __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens.

11-25-2004, 03:35 PM	#28 (permalink)
gremlinx8 Insane Location: Illinois	I've always kind of liked the word entropy.

11-25-2004, 08:11 PM	#30 (permalink)
OFKU0 Junk	some of mine; box gash pie beaver snapper clam __________________ " In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

11-25-2004, 10:07 PM	#31 (permalink)
Nefir Junkie Location: Louisville, KY	Odd-sounding words appeal to me more than other, more normal ones... colloquial masticate coitus loofah flabbergasted bailiwick excogitated __________________ You do not use a Macintosh, instead you use a Tandy Kompressor break your glowstick, Kompressor eat your candy Kompressor open jaws, Kompressor release ants Kompressor watch you scream, Because Kompressor does not dance

11-25-2004, 10:18 PM	#32 (permalink)
Manic_Skafe More Than You Expect Location: Queens	Phallic Cacophonous Compendium Agoraphobic Coquetry Grub I could do this all night. __________________ "Porn is a zoo of exotic animals that becomes boring upon ownership." -Nersesian

11-25-2004, 10:42 PM	#33 (permalink)
jrclark Upright	bork bork bork!

11-25-2004, 10:45 PM	#34 (permalink)
pinkie Helplessly hoping Location: Above the stars	Xyla Grace Phoenix Nanny Love

11-25-2004, 11:47 PM	#36 (permalink)
Date the Banana Insane Location: Japan	Big fan of scintillating myself. Hard to work it into the conversation, but always gives me that air of refinement that my appearance does not... __________________ all work and no play make Date something something

11-26-2004, 08:39 PM	#37 (permalink)
viejo gringo Registered User Location: Deep South Texas	DAD GRAND PA

11-26-2004, 08:50 PM	#38 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	i love the word DEBAUCHERY, don't know why, i just do

11-26-2004, 09:02 PM	#39 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Mucilage Ampersand Passport Budgerigar

11-27-2004, 01:18 PM	#40 (permalink)
stevie667 Too Awesome for Aardvarks Location: Angloland	Tachyon It always gives me goose bumps when i hear it, because you know when they're around, even if your about to be phasered or chopped, everything will turn out ok