In a survey conducted in 2004 by the British Council which asked more than 40,000 people around the world to rank the most beautiful words among a list of 70 words found MOTHER first, followed by PASSION, SMILE, LOVE, and ETERNITY.
A poll of American writers, poets and critics listed these words as their favorites: HOME, CHATTANOOGA, MELODY, NOBILITY, VERMILION, GRACIOUS, PAVEMENT, LOVELY, HARBORS OF MEMORY, NEVERMORE, VIOLET, LAKE, LAUGHTER, WILLOW, and LOVELY
The ten worst-sounding words in English, according to a poll by the National Association of Teachers of Speech in August, 1946 are: CACOPHONY, CRUNCH, FLATULENT, GRIPE, JAZZ, PHLEGMATIC, PLUMP, PLUTOCRAT, SAP, and TREACHERY.
Do you agree with these? Do you have a favorite sounding word or words? Are there any words you dislike the sound of? List them in the comments section. You can use this site for suggestions. If you do this as an entry in your journal, please come back and leave a full entry URL so that we can go back and read your entry. Thanks!
My answer: Going back and reading through these lists, I basically agree. I actually like a couple of words on the worst-sounding list. I like the sound of JAZZ and CRUNCH. I think one of my very favorite sounding word is HUSH and that isn't on the lists. I also love the sound of WILLOW. The word LOVE sounds very beautiful to me as well. What about you? Do you have any favorite sounding words? Least favorite sounding words?
I am going to list everyone's favorite and least favorite words in about a week. I am excited to see what the lists will be! Thanks everyone! Hope everyone is having a good start to their week! Hugs, Val xox
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I LOVE the word: plethora !
ReplyDeleteWhy would pavement be on somebody's favorite list, LOL?
ReplyDeleteI hate vomit, LOL. My favorite words are: Mama, Daddy, and baby, LOL
Krissy :)
http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink
Cacophony is one of my favorite words. I use it often. AND I LOVE THE SOUND OF IT which is why I use it all the time.
ReplyDelete((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))))))))))))))))Intresting,never thought about that.Maybe I will do it.lol.Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week Val!
ReplyDeleteMissie
Dear Val,
ReplyDeleteHugs! I come here from Penny!
My least favorite words:
sod, treachery, deceit, phoney, thievery, a con, a blackballer, a cheat, a lier, a loser, a drug dealer, a drug addict.
My favorite words are: love, harmony, loyalty, genius, original, true to self, challenger, redeemer, savior, angel , winner
natalie
Val, I rather like jazz myself.
ReplyDeleteGood words for me: Love, Peace, honorable, kind, generous, gracious, memorable, loyal, and dependable.
Bad words: shame, bad, hate, indifferent, mean, cruel, vindictive, ignorant. Merry
I like their lists and yours for their flowing sounds and not so good sounds.
ReplyDeleteI like some silly words like hodgepodge, flabbergasted, bonanza, boomerang.....just because.......LOL!
I hate these words for the pictures they make in my head.....phlegm, illness, surgery, armed and a lot more.
I really love these words and many more, for their meanings.....baby, love, compassion, gentle, kindly, warmth, peace, joy........God.
I don't like these for their meanings.....hate, bomb, war, shock, explosion, pervert, racist, abuse, abortion.....and a whole bunch more.
I know I went off on a whole different direction......but I tend to do that. LOL!
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" Mainly because I can say it, spell it, and it always makes anyone, of any age, smile. <grin> Can you ask more of a word?
ReplyDeletePatrick
Back in the 1920s, Billy Rose, showman and song writer, noticed that many of the hit songs of his era had the "ooo" sound in them. So, in order t have a hit song, he made up one featuring "ppp" sound. It was...
ReplyDeleteBarney Google, with his goo goo googly eyes,
Barney Google Had a girl he idolized...
... and so on. It was a hit.
No wonder we like to "google" things nowadays when we research.
So, add GOOGLE to my list of favorites. I have hiked in the Sierras...but too many hissing sounds. Never been to the Adirondaks (will check spelling later) but would like to try 'cause I like the sound of their name better.
I will check my list of states and my list of presidents to see which ones have the most euphonious names.
Here's my blog on words: http://journals.aol.com/chasferris/DribblebyChuckFerris/entries/2007/01/24/word-play/1675
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are rambunctious, twinkle and spirited.
ReplyDeleteMy least favorite are cancer, depression and deceived.
Those are just the first ones that came to mind.
Kathy
I love color names:
ReplyDeletechartreause, magenta, azure, celery, taupe, crimson, burnt sienna etc etc etc
I'm late in responding to this post... as I don't usually or ever do word play. Sorry Val I just don't see myself as much of a word smith. Is word smith one word? lol anyway I did NOT read the other responses as I didn't want to be affected.
ReplyDeleteSo on my positive sounding words I would put plump on there! hehehe for obvious reasons. Not sure why that doesnt sound good to others... words I do like would be lovely also rated on the list, passion is nice also. ok but my list might read:
lovely, sensual, voluptuous, hot, stud, spiritual, exciting, good, connection, sweet, pumpkin, cupcake, pink, sugar, absolutely, and vivid
words I dont like:
lard, vomit, urin, nasal, fart, skinny, hynie, hygiene, rash, puss, bladder, blubber
a friends words: (he called and so he gave me some of his ugly words, he is an English professor)
pallid, finicky, rat, scab, puss, rancid
hey I have to retract something I said I would not put plump on my negative list... I put it on my positive list... I think plump sounds cute actually :)
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