Friday 14 June 2013

Using Unusual Words

I really enjoy using unusual words, I use them with my kids all the time. My 3 year old often complains of harrassment and asks his brother to "cease and desist".

I try very hard not to alienate the person I'm talking to, or sound like a Police Officer giving a testimony, but it's nice to expand your vocabulary. I love to learn a new word. Whenever anyone says something I don't understand I get quite excited and demand to know what it means, or Google it instantly. It's infuriating when I'm in a conversation where I can't stop them and ask straightaway. I'm the same with our teenagers - some days it's like they're talking a different language, and thankfully I'm still keen enough to find out what on Earth it all means!

In the half hour before writing this I've used somnambulism, interrobang and inordinate. I feel quite proud.
 

My favourite word for today though has to be propitious. I've had the prize for my #SpecialK30 blog post delivered and we have a full weekend of adventure and excitement ahead of us. It's raining, but who cares?

What are your favourite rarely-used words? I'd especially love if you have one I've never heard of!


Somnambulism = Sleepwalking
Interrobang = '!?' or '?!'
Inordinate =  unusually or disproportionately large or excessive
Propitious = full of promise, good, favourable

16 comments:

  1. I love teaching kids to use longer or posher words, it just makes me laugh to hear them (easily amused! :D) One day my oldest was getting annoyed by the middle one and he was like "meem stop! I do not require your services!!!" cracked me up :D
    and congrats again on your special k!!!

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    1. Thanks hon! It is funny when small children use long words. When our children were saying face parts they'd be "eyes, nose, mouth, filtrum" - entirely my partners fault!

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  2. Ooh didn't know inbterrobang! And I'm so glad I didn't win that comp - I have no idea where I'd put that much cereal!!

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    1. Interrobang is a great word - and rarely ever used despite the popularity of interrobangs!?

      The cereal is in the hallway at the moment. I can't leave it there forever though, and I definitely can't fit that many boxes on top of the kitchen cupboards!:D

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  3. I use interrobang all the time... as in using it not saying it LOL!!
    My fave word has to be asinine, it literally rolls off the tongue and can be used often :P

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    1. ooh, that is a good one, I like that. I think the fact you can spit out the first syllable helps ;)

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  4. I really want one of those diaries with the word of the day printed in them! I love new words too :)

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    1. You've reminded me my Grandma had one of those when I was a small, one of the desk diaries you flip over and I loved it - maybe that's where my love of unusual words comes from? :)

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  5. I love words like words and I am loving the term 'cease and desist' - I think I will use that with the kids.

    Maybe you should use the Special K to build a citadel

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    1. I tried to build a castle for the photo, but it's almost impossible to get them to balance 3 high! :D

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  6. Look like u went to supermarket to take this photo! Awesome prize!

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    1. It is an awesome prize - we're on box 3 already though!

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  7. I love teaching my son new words or different ways to say things it is so funny when they use grown up phrases! Mind you be teaches me new words to, the latest is a new name for a bra, boobie keeper!!

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  8. I love Vicariously - goes back to A level English

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    1. Nice word! I bet you get a vicarious thrill when you use it too :D

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