Having been an avid reader all of my life, I’ve developed particular reactions to words. I am crazy, no doubt, but maybe some of you share this particular idiosyncrasy.
Words I like, for no particular reason other than I think they sound nice and/or funny:
- ersatz: substitute, synthetic or artificial.
- hoosegow: jail.
- jejune: immature, dull.
- poltroon: coward.
- voluminous: of great volume or extent.
- wherewithal: the means or resources to do something.
- zaftig: well-proportioned. By far my favorite word! Something about the way it sounds reminds me of a soaring kite.
Words I dislike, and the reasons:
- irregardless: it’s not actually a word, people!
- lugubrious: it just sounds so gross, like phlegm in the throat.
- pulchritude: what an ugly word for the concept of beauty!
- tits - vulgar, and a poor substitute for “boobs” (which actually looks like what it describes)
Updated periodically.