Do we really need the word "floccinaucinihilipilification"? The poor kid who gets that in a spelling contest, and the poor judge who has to follow along as he spells it. Notice the sentence below that I made bold. : )
From Word-A-Day
PRONUNCIATION:
(FLOK-si-NO-si-NY-HIL-i-PIL-i-fi-KAY-shuhn)
MEANING:
noun: Estimating as worthless.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin flocci, from floccus (tuft of wool) + nauci, from naucum (a trifling thing) + nihili, from Latin nihil (nothing) + pili, from pilus (a hair, trifle) + -fication (making). Earliest documented use: 1741.
NOTES:
This word was coined by combining four Latin terms flocci, nauci, nihili, pili, all meaning something of little or no value, which were listed in the well-known Eton Latin Grammar of Eton College in the UK. The word seems to be popular in the US government. It has been heard from the mouths of White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry, Senator Robert Byrd, and Senator Jesse Helms, among others. A related word is floccipend.
USAGE:
“I have been gathering relevant state public investment data since 2000 and in that time have provided a consistent approach to calculating Our Fair Share. I hope I avoid the floccinaucinihilipilification.”
Colin Dwyer; Region Has Missed Out on Due Wealth; Townsville Bulletin (Australia); Jun 10, 2014.
“She tells me that Floccinaucinihilipilification is the name she wants our first child to have. I say the name is terribly long.”
Craig Stone; The Squirrel that Dreamt of Madness; Troubador; 2016.
jerryc41 wrote:
Do we really need the word "floccinaucinihilipilification"? The poor kid who gets that in a spelling contest, and the poor judge who has to follow along as he spells it. Notice the sentence below that I made bold. : )
From Word-A-Day
PRONUNCIATION:
(FLOK-si-NO-si-NY-HIL-i-PIL-i-fi-KAY-shuhn)
MEANING:
noun: Estimating as worthless.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin flocci, from floccus (tuft of wool) + nauci, from naucum (a trifling thing) + nihili, from Latin nihil (nothing) + pili, from pilus (a hair, trifle) + -fication (making). Earliest documented use: 1741.
NOTES:
This word was coined by combining four Latin terms flocci, nauci, nihili, pili, all meaning something of little or no value, which were listed in the well-known Eton Latin Grammar of Eton College in the UK. The word seems to be popular in the US government. It has been heard from the mouths of White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry, Senator Robert Byrd, and Senator Jesse Helms, among others. A related word is floccipend.
USAGE:
“I have been gathering relevant state public investment data since 2000 and in that time have provided a consistent approach to calculating Our Fair Share. I hope I avoid the floccinaucinihilipilification.”
Colin Dwyer; Region Has Missed Out on Due Wealth; Townsville Bulletin (Australia); Jun 10, 2014.
“She tells me that Floccinaucinihilipilification is the name she wants our first child to have. I say the name is terribly long.”
Craig Stone; The Squirrel that Dreamt of Madness; Troubador; 2016.
Do we really need the word "floccinaucinihili... (
show quote)
She should name her child that and when frustrated she can just shorten it to worthless. Maybe that is not such a good idea on both accounts.
I think the very word is a fine example of "floccinaucinihilipilification".
Floccinaucinihilipilification: the acceptance of a very silly hairpiece when becoming a judge, a justice, or a magistrate in the UK or in certain commonwealth countries. The demonstration of the ability to command respect and to maintain order in a court while floccinaucinihilipilificated might well be highest test of superior personhood
"That's what the Welsh guy said!"
tuatara
Loc: Orig. NZ - currently SF area
I prefer this one, easier to pronounce..
ANOESIS
: consciousness that is pure passive receptiveness without understanding or intellectual organization of the materials presented
I prefer "Politician!" (absolutely worthless)
sirlensalot wrote:
I prefer "Politician!" (absolutely worthless)
Not if you ask their opinion. Absolut(!) stable genius! Note: stay upwind of the fan and clear of the pitchfork.
Hal81
Loc: Bucks County, Pa.
Hay you. Yes you with the name I cant pronounce. Take one step forward, you got latrean duty.
Hal81 wrote:
Hay you. Yes you with the name I cant pronounce. Take one step forward, you got latrean duty.
Alphabet 1 or Alphabet 2 ???
BBurns
Loc: South Bay, California
I went to a British school. This was my English professor's favorite word and was supposedly the longest word in the unexpurgated Oxford dictionary at the time.
It's definition was: 'Of little worth or value.'
tuatara wrote:
I prefer this one, easier to pronounce..
ANOESIS
: consciousness that is pure passive receptiveness without understanding or intellectual organization of the materials presented
I wish that I had known that word before I retired; had I put Anoesis on the name-plate on my desk I might have garnered one more promotion before retiring.
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