Today I was watching an episode of MythBusters with the kids, and someone used the word “quell.”  That’s such a nice word, and it made me think about our friend Jim, who loved the words “compote” and “lozenge,” just because they are fun words to say.

Especially after a few drinks.

And then I started to think about my favorite words, and about what makes a word a favorite.  As a parent, my favorite words are probably “bedtime” or “babysitter” or “playdate;” as a stylist, my least favorite words are “fashionista” and “recessionista” (ugh).  But just in terms of language, there are words I love, words that are fun to use and fun to hear.

My five favorite words are …

1. Quotidian.

2. Obstreperous.

3. Synechdoche.

4. Genre.

5.  Paragon.

I also like rhetorical; Wade thinks defenestrate is a good one.  As it is, especially when you’re talking about rhetoric.