My Favorite Word » U

Ubiquitious

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:56:10 +0000

Existing or being everywhere at the same time; constantly encountered; widespread.

During my career I used this word in the cover letter of my resume to describe my employment accomplishments. More times than not, potential employers admitted that they had to look up the word’s meaning. Amusing. To me, the word has a nice flow to it. A busy word with a busy meaning.

Barbara
The Villages, FL

Syzygy

admin — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:16:14 +0000

A word as difficult to find as an occurrence of its main meaning: the confluence of three or more celestial bodies. Its uniqueness in the world of English words–the second-longest word failing to contain a, e, i, o, or u, surpassed only by “rhythms” and tied with its singular–makes this one of my favorite words.

That, and it makes it look like Webster gave Lynyrd Skynyrd a chance to put a word in the dictionary.

Claudia

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

admin — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:53:03 +0000

Something that I have personally experienced. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a procedure that removes excess tissue in the throat to make the airway wider. This sometimes can allow air to move through the throat more easily when you breathe, reducing the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The tissues that are removed may include:

The soft fingerlike tissue that hangs down from the back of the roof of the mouth into the throat (uvula).
Part of the roof of the mouth (soft palate).
Excess throat tissue, tonsils, and adenoids.

Robert B.
Des Moines, IA

Unconscionable

admin — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:09:43 +0000

It’s often appropriate, unfortunately. Means unscrupulous or without conscience, amoral.

Nolen Clark
HSV, AL

Uncertainty

admin — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:27:12 +0000

Uncertainty is a word that is very powerful to me. I think Uncertainty defines the world that surrounds me. Wherever I go, things may happen with a chance of realization between 0 and 1. I am constantly amazed by the concept of Uncertainty, or how much of what should happen is uncertain. Uncertainty defines the human condition. Most of us seek to reach certainty in our lives. Certainty that I will see my friends tomorrow. Certainty to pass an exam. But the only thing we’re doing is reducing the uncertainty. You cannot be certain. Finally, i love Uncertainty because it makes life a philosophical journey. Most of what we do seem certain. But the most exciting adventures in life come from what is uncertain.

Quentin de Bottini
London

Uxorious

admin — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:35:45 +0000

This means to be foolishly fond of your wife. Not only does it sound cool, it means so much and …. there is no equivalent for husband!

Kevin

Ukelele

admin — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:19:46 +0000

My favorite word is “ukelele” because it cracks me up. I wish I knew why it was so funny. It’s just one of those words that always makes me smile, no matter what kind of mood I’m in. And it’s so fun to say out loud! You can’t help but smile.

Erin

Ululation

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:14:06 +0000

just the sound of it, the way it feels in your mouth when saying it, and that it describes a sound, though not an onomatopoeia (another good word) exactly, but in that vein.

Underground

admin — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:34:41 +0000

It’s a place and a feeling. It suggests all things nefarious and yet within culture it is where we usually find hope for the future. People disappear there. Friendships are cemented. The Fall have a groovy song about it. It’s a slightly queasy-filled Murakami novel. Most people probably imagine the letters forming the shape of this place. We all end up there. The imagination runs wild with it. The “g” acts as a ladder taking us below.

Raison D’Etre