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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Most beautiful words in the English language?

In answer to Hugh's posting on annoying phrases, I offer one persons list of 223 of the most beautiful words in the English language here.

What are your favourites? Or have you others to add?

I found it hard to decide but I think inglenook, halcyon, gazebo and palimpsest feature highly

Tags for Forum Posts: language, words

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But it's missing flauccinaucinihilipifilication! (Any mistakes are not typos - but it's close!)
I did say we could add our own personal faves...I like the word queasy because as soon as you say it you instantly act it out, maybe not 'beautiful' but a good word
Good choice Inglenook.Idlewild is a good one as well.
I agree with you about palimpsest, Liz. I sometimes use it metaphorically, with wonderfully suggestive effect - or so it seems to me! Adumbrate is another favourite; and I must find an opportunity to use aestivate (= to pass the summer, especially in a state of torpor). Gorgeous!
You're all going to hate me for this..

For me... it must be.. emigrate .. OT on .. but after nearly living longer outside the UK as in and definitely living longer outside Harringay than within.. I have to say that they still have a great influence on me.. OT off...

However emigrate is the most important and nicest sounding word in the English language for me..
I think the word Haberdashery is pretty cool!
" HUMP" always makes me smile. If you want to show off, "SERENDIPITY" and "HEURISTIC" can be used in the same sentence.
But my favourite would be "BEER".
Palimpsest is not English... It's Greek. (sorry)
But I like this one: "Gorgeous".
And what about "ramshackle"?
Well of course palimpsest's a perfectly wonderful English word. The fact that it's descended from Greek roots, 'palin' & 'psestos', via Latin, to describe an ancient recycling invention doesn't mean it's not English.
I don't suppose any of you small-l liberals will be cheering for the 2012 Republican ticket of PALIN & PSESTOS ?

And yes, 'gorgeous' is English - despite its Old French root 'gorgias' = elegant(adj) or wimple (noun)
The fact is, the majority of 'English' words are derivations (a word I like) of Latin, Greek, German and French among others.
Call me a commoner but I like regional slang words, innit!

Proper cockney rhyming always makes me smile, especially when tourists haven't got a Scooby.

"Snappin", "Nesh" and "Bosted" are a few from my area.

I love dialects and we seem to have so many in this country.
i like slang words too.

i'm oringinally from yorkshire and two of my favourite words are "snicket" and "ginnel" (which mean different things depending on which town you're in)

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