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| Notebook by 6*18 Love |
My all time favorite big word is "defenestration," which refers to the act of throwing someone or something out of a window. I had an English professor in college who asked the meaning of defenestration on every single one of his creative writing quizzes. I thought this was strange.
Then one day, as I was reading for my British history class, I read that one historical figure defenestrated another. And I was like, whoa, I totally know what that means! (I was probably reading about Henry I and Conan Pilatus. The incident is known as "Conan's Leap.")
I think this was all part of my English professor's master plan. He probably collaborated with my history professor over tea and crumpets.
Do you have any favorite big words?
Haha! What a great word! I love people like you! Can't think of a big word at the moment...too early in the morning over here.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteYes, I think the word "defenestration" is pretty high-larious. :)
Oh, and it takes me a long, long time to get going in the morning, so I totally understand. :)
Hanah you are the best...just like this your new piece of work.
ReplyDeleteAcrimonious. Meaning = rancorous, unfriendly, harsh, spiteful
Aw, thanks! And thanks for the big word!
DeleteThis is great! I discovered the word defenestration when I was obsessed with a TV show called Dark Angel. Starring Jessica Alba and Michael Weatherly. I like big words but I don't like to use them if they interrupt the flow or appear unnatural. I think my writing style is relaxed and conversational. Of course others might think differently.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I know have Sir Mix Alot playing on repeat in my head! xx
I agree with you about when big words sound unnatural or interrupt the flow of writing, when it's almost like the author is just trying to sound impressive--I don't like that, either. I like to think my writing sounds conversational, as well, but I still sneak in a big word every once in a while, when it suits. :)
DeleteAnd ha! You're welcome for the song stuck in your head. I keep seeing Donkey from Shrek in my mind, belting out the song at the end of movie. :)
I love big words too! I have a couple - one that my linguistics lecturer always used to use - antidisestablishmentarianism, which was basically a political position that was anti the disestablishment of the Church of England as the State Church of England, Ireland and Wales. Not useful perhaps in everyday speaking, but it certainly sounds cool and is a great example of how many suffixes and prefixes you can add to a word.
ReplyDeleteMy students (who are 11, 12 and 13) love the word contemplate, which I use all the time. It's kinda cute how they've picked up on it.
Oh, I like that word, too! It's a mouthful. When I was in grade school, one of my friends would always throw that word around and say it was the longest word in the world. I never knew the whole meaning until now! Thanks!
DeleteYour students sound adorable! I like the word contemplate, too. It's a good one.
I love the word defenestration. One of my favourite historical events is the Defenestration of Prague which sort of kickstarted the Thirty Years' War because the concept of defenestration totally amused 17 year old me. When I went to Prague Castle four years later I did spend most of the trip trying to find said window...
ReplyDeleteGerman is an ace language for big words because they're really into their compound words like Schwarzswaldkirschtorte. And Rolltreppe, which is an escalator (literally: rolling stairs). Brilliant.
Ah, defenestration. One of my favorite words, too! :D
ReplyDeleteI took 3 years of Latin in high school, and still to this day (now in my first year of grad school at 22), I love picking apart words and figuring out what they mean. (I guess my boyfriend wasn't kidding when he says I'm a nerdy girlfriend. But he loves it).
I can't think of any of my favorite words off the top of my head, but I definitely have them. Glad I'm not alone!