I’ve usually taken pride in being able to ramble off the longest word in the English language (even boasting the ability to spell it!). People would say, “Raul, what’s that really long word?” and without hesitation I’d reply, “Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.” And thus, the jaws would drop. Alternatively heads would shake.

And for you head-shakers… Yes, you may judge me; I’ll allow it this time.

However, even though it is 45 letters long, pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is made up. Everett M. Smith made it up in 1935 when he was the president of the National Puzzlers’ League upon their 103^rd annual meeting. And to top it off, the Oxford English Dictionary says it’s factitious (5 points to those of you who did not follow the link).

So I looked up other long words in hopes to find the real one. And then I thought I’d share them with you because I can.

I’ll first introduce to you number 4: Antitransubstantiationalist – n. (anti-tran-substantiation-alist) One who doubts that consecrated bread and wine actually change into the body and blood of Christ. Although it’s only 27 letters long, I like to give it bonus points for being 10 sylables.

3: Honorificabilitudinitatibus – n. (honor-ific-abili-tud-in-it-at-i-bus) The state of being able to achieve honours. Another 27-letter word, but I make this number 3 because it’s Shakesperean! You may find it in Love’s Labour’s Lost, act V, scene i.

2: Antidisestablishmentarianism – n. (anti-dis-establishment-arian-ism) The belief which opposes removing the tie between church and state. And who could forget the ever-popular 28-letter word?

1: Floccinaucinihilipilification – n. (flocci-nauci-ni-hi-li-pili-fication) The estimation of something as valueless. At 29 letters it’s just a bunch of latin roots with a suffix attached. “Flocci” “Nauci” “Nihili” and “Pili” all mean “little to no value.”

And although 1. is officially considered the longest word in the english language by the OED, I couldn’t help but dig up this ironic gem:

Hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian – n. (hippo-poto-monstros-esquip-e-dalian) Pertaining to a very long word. 30 letters, oh boy! And the great part is, you can make it longer by turning it into the fear of long words: Hippomotomonstrosesquipedaliaphobia. Can you imagine being afraid to say your own fear? I imagine it would be something similar to people with lisps.

What are your favorite and least favorite words? Any reasons why?

Unfortunately, most of the words I like are ones I’ve made up.

But let me think of some good ones.

Moot. Cusp. Phenomena. To name a few.

Smooth! Smooth is such an autological adjective that everything about Smooth is the epitome of Smooth. Smooth is smooth off the tongue. Smooth is smooth sounding to the ear; even the word Smooth appears smooth to the eye!

I love writing down the word Smooth; it’s smooth off your pen! Even now, typing the word smooth, I can’t help but say it out loud: Smooth.

Smooooooooth — Wonderful.

Least favorite words? Hm…

While I think on it, I’m reminded that there are certain combinations I despise!

An Unicorn

The sound that you get by combining the n and U between those words are enough to make me squirm.

ODD! I don’t like the word Odd. Not because of it’s sound, but because it’s terribly disappointing. There is nothing odd about Odd. A 6-year-old could guess how to spell it. I say, give it a silent Q. Odqd. Now  that would make Odd, odd.

I’m sitting affront my laptop at 4:30 in the morning, knowing full well that I have work in exactly 2.5 hours. Why am I still up!?

Jet lag.

For some reason, I am having the WORST time getting aclimated back to a normal sleeping schedule in Hawaii. As of my return, I have been COMPLETELY unable to sleep when I should.

I plan to remedy this today. I’m not going to sleep until 8, maybe 9 this evening if I can make it. I will not be screwed over like this my entire time I’m on my compensation time, gunfunit¹!

So now, I waste the hours until I have to work. Thankfully, it will not be a complete work day, because all I must do is check back in. I’m really lucky there won’t be much brain power required of me.

And, because I have nothing else better to do right now, I’m giving you all a lesson in our silly language called English:

What is a homonym, homophone, and homograph? Aren’t they all the same?

No. Here is the breakdown for how they apply to words:

A HomoNYM is the same sound and spelling, different meaning.
(Cleave, to cling. Cleave, to split.)

A HomoPHONE is the same pronunciation, but different spelling.
(To and Two)

A HomoGRAPH is the same spelling, different pronunciation.
(Affect, the noun in Psychology. Affect, the verb in everything else)

And now you know!

^{1 – That’s one word I leaned today; you should be proud Jen.}