I've heard these little pass-'em-on question lists called "memes," but if we're to trust Wikipedia, my understanding of that word was a little off. In the broadest sense, a meme is an academic concept meaning "any thought or behavior that can be passed from one person to another by learning or imitation." An Internet meme is pretty much anything on the Web that gets passed around and spreads quickly (insert your own Paris Hilton joke here).
Anyway, here's a word-related laundry list I made up and am reluctant to call a meme in part because I'm none too comfortable with the word "wiki." Feel free to spread it as an infection and/or post your own answers here. (I'd love to hear others' answers.)
A word I use too much: defensible
A word I should use more: work
A word I wish I used more: royalties
A word that hurts my ears when others say it: chick
A word that doesn't feel right in my mouth when I say it:
Pepperdine
A word used too much in novels: idyllic
A word that's used too much in newspapers and magazines: bucolicA word that's used too much in broadcast news: horrific
A word that evokes for me a visual image, taste, smell, tactile sensation,
or sound other than the word itself: bourbon
A word I'd like people to use about me: gorgeous (but I'll settle for
'genius')
A word I think more people should be aware of: adverbial
A word that makes me feel stupid: adverbial
A word that makes me feel smart: adverbial
A word I remember learning as a kid: ambivalent
A word I say just for fun: Tibor (pronounced TEE-bore -- one of my cats' names)
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4 comments:
A word that's used too much in newspapers and magazines: enormity
A word that's used too much in news media: tragic
A word I remember learning as a kid: obnoxious
(I vividly remember the day my third grade teacher made the whole class put our heads down on our desks because we were being "obnoxious".)
One of the reasons I could never in a million years be a teacher is basically what you described. Any little word or moment could go down in some kid's lifetime memory file. It's so much responsiblity. Even the tiniest slip up, like, 'Listen the *!#$! up, you !#^#! little !$^!$#*s: I'm *!#$! going to *!#$! give you *!#$!s this *!#$! quiz" could haunt 'em for life.
(No, I'm not a parent. Yes, I understand why everyone reading this is greatly relieved to hear that.)
Here's my list...
A word I use too much: folks
A word I should use more: thanks
A word I wish I used more: contract
A word that hurts my ears when others say it: efficacious
A word that doesn't feel right in my mouth when I say it: diocesan
A word used too much in novels: vampire
A word that's used too much in newspapers and magazines: poll
A word that's used too much in broadcast news: breaking
A word that evokes for me a visual image, taste, smell, tactile sensation,
or sound other than the word itself: kale
A word I'd like people to use about me: nice
A word I think more people should be aware of: philtrum
A word that makes me feel stupid: pedagogy
A word that makes me feel smart: heretofore
A word I remember learning as a kid: sesquipedalian
A word I say just for fun: galangal
philtrum: the vertical indentation in the midline of the upper lip. Also called infranasal depression. -- American Heritage
philtrum: a good place to store excess lipstick for future use. -- me
galangal: A plant (Alpinia officinarum) of eastern Asia, having pungent, aromatic roots used medicinally and as seasoning.
The dried roots of this plant. -- American Heritage
Seriously, what greats words that I didn't know until two minutes ago. I also really like "kale," though that one I knew. (Once upon a time, I had to restock the salad bar.)
Thanks for playin'.
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