Good words

[betsybookwyrm]

Today I learnt a candidate for the best English word ever. The 'ever' part is necessary, as it's an Old English word that looks to have completely fallen out of use, much to the language's loss. It is: hwaethwugu (properly, the 'ae' should be an ash). It means 'something'. An awesome word indeed

Comments

[uqangela]

Hahah. I just went through your Facebook 'status updates' wondering when you used 'hwaethwugu'. Heeee.

Wow, I thoroughly enjoy reading about your language adventures. I'm laughing out loud to myself right now. Thanks Betsy!

[betsybookwyrm]

I like words :)

And hwaethwugu is the best of them all.

[aurillia]

But how the hell do you pronounce them? If I'm going to use them, I at least don't want to look like an idiot :D

Silliness aside, what does the second word mean?

[betsybookwyrm]

hwaethwugu is pronounced... umm...
hw - like 'wh' in 'what', only with a bit of a 'h' sound at the beginning
ae - like the 'a' in 'cat'
u (both) - like the 'oo' in 'kangaroo'
The rest of the individual sounds should be self-explanatory, I think?
Three syllables: hwath-wu-gu. I've been putting the emphasis on the 'wu', but not sure if that's technically correct.

floccinaucinihilipilification means "The action or habit of estimating as worthless." For pronunciation, see the misspelling above.

Good luck! I personally intend to use 'hwaethwugu' whenever I can. :)

[sum_pisces]

i think they're both brilliant. words are good

[betsybookwyrm]

Words are good indeed :)

Awesome Words

[anonymous]

I have one; pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicavolcanoconiosis. Its a lung disease from inhaling silica dust