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They Roll Off The Tongue

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A list of 171 words by uselessness.

About

Words that are just fun to say. Entirely subjective, but I like 'em regardless. A complement to the list They Stumble Off The Tongue.

Comments

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  • lillyjames As with all good word lists, this one made me hungry. Parsimonious made me most hungry of all, but, of course, will refuse to feed me! I must look elsewhere for succor. Jul 13, 2007

  • uselessness Peniscatory? Heaven help those lists. Feb 16, 2007

  • reesetee Not only that; they're also litigiatory and peniscatory too. Or...well, SOME of them are. You know who. Feb 16, 2007

  • uselessness I would say our lists are quite... quixatory. Feb 16, 2007

  • chained_bear Odd though. Quixotic is really the definition of all our lists, isn't it? ... or is it litigious? Feb 16, 2007

  • uselessness Including the scholars at Oxford University? Fine then, go your own way.

    (foo) Feb 16, 2007

  • chained_bear I'm late to this conversation about quixotic, but... I've always pronounced it "kee-OT-ic," though I've heard it said "kwiks-ot-ic." One time I said "kwiks-ot-ic" and everyone stared at me--though it could be because they didn't know the word at all, who knows. Then, when I looked it up in the OED today, it lists one pronunciation: kwiks-ot-ic. Hunh. I'll probably continue to say "kee-OT-ic," because that's what I'm used to saying. And frankly, I don't say it often enough to worry that much. Guess I don't normally run with the crowd that has an opinion on the matter. Feb 16, 2007

  • uselessness I've been following the discussion on the quixotic page with some interest, because this is one of those words that I always thought was cool, but never really contemplated in any depth.

    Oddly enough, I never made the Don Quixote connection until I saw the thread. I've never heard anyone speak the word, just seen it in print and online, and figured it was pronounced "quick SOT ick." Coincedentally, a friend did say the word in conversation just last week, and he said "KEE ho tic." Totally random, and as far as I know he's never been to Wordie. I did a double-take. The one time I've ever heard the word spoken, and it's the weird way.

    However you choose to say it, the word remains on my list. Though I prefer the Anglicanized pronunciation, which I think is just more fun, the perfect blend of quirky and exotic. Jan 15, 2007

  • kad quixotic is my favorite (though it's not easy to choose with so many good words!). i like both the reference to a literary character and the way that it sounds. and it gets extra points for having a 'q' and an 'x' in it. Jan 15, 2007

  • uselessness So, which of these is YOUR favorite? Do comment. Jan 15, 2007