Feb
9
Hapax Legomenon
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From the Greek “[something] said only once.” A word which occurs only once in the written record of a language, in the works of an author, or in a single text. I’m just seduced by the concept of such a word. The thought of a word only showing up once in the entire written language… wow.
David Lemay
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
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Feb
8
Hirsute
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It’s just great. Say it a few times and you’ll see why (it’s pronounced roughly ‘hear-suit’). It means ‘hairy’ or ’shaggy’, like a goat. It’s directly from Latin.
Jamie
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(4 votes, average: 4.25 out of 5) Loading ...
Feb
8
Hippopotomonstro-
sesqippedaliophobia
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The fear of long words… It’s even more ironic than the word “lisp.” Plus, the fact that i can say it without stuttering and spell it without error is a area of personal pride.
Stephen
[Note: hyphenated only because otherwise it screws up the page margins]
[Another note: usually spelled hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia.]
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Jan
30
Humble
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Because you can’t pronounce it without adopting at least a bit of humility as you stumble over its two simple syllables. This word necessarily separates pride and selfishness from success. It’s an awkward word, neither pretty nor powerful when spoken, but it levels a conversation, quietly earning respect, and thus it stands up to its definition.
Sam
Reno
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Jan
20
Hematapathologist
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It’s long, difficult to pronounce, and fun to say: Hematapathologist Hematapathologist Hematapathologist.
Matt
Katy, TX
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Jan
17
Haggard
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This word, which most people know to means “wild or wild-looking,” is actually derived from falconer terminology and means a trained falcon that, for one reason or another, has regained its “spirit” and returned to the wild. I think once understanding this etymology, this word takes on an even cooler meaning when describing a person.
Bailey
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Jan
17
Hyperbole
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It is a word that isn’t pronounced like it looks, consequently some people mispronounce it. I had a boss, who was well educated and more than once he commented on someone’s “hyper-bowl.”
Def: extravagant exaggeration used as a figure of speech
Jim Nuznoff
Tallmadge, OH
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Jan
13
Hypotenuse
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I used to sing this word to myself as a child, to the tune of “we’re gonna be on Ed Sullivan,” which doesn’t make much sense. When I took geometry years later and found out it was an actual word instead of one I thought made up, I was partially disappointed, partially thrilled.
Jesica Davis
Chicago
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Jan
2
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
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It’s the unoffical state fish of Hawai’i. Why do I like the word? Because it just rolls off the tongue, and it’s fun to say. Try it. It sounds just like it looks: Hoo Moo Hoo Moo Noo Koo Noo Koo Ah Poo Ah Ah. OK, maybe it’s tough to say the first time, but after a few times, it’s fun.
Yes, I’m a word geek.
Mikey
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Dec
30
Hyperbola
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Hyperbola (and, by extension, hyperbolic) are my favorite words for two reasons. Most obvious is that they contain the word hyper, which, as we all known rocks the proverbial socks. But on a more aesthetic level, it just sounds nice. Say it with me now, Hyperbola. Hyperbola. The two roots apart don’t seem like anything special, but together, magic is made.
Tom
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