Ask Mike: The longest word
Hey Guys,
Anyone who has seen “Mary Poppins” might think that “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is the longest word in the English language. And, if it were a real word, it might be the longest. But gibberish does not a word make. So, what is the “real” longest word in English? Let’s consult our old all-knowing friend, the Web.
A quick Yahoo! search on “longest word in English language” led me to this page from the Oxford Dictionary. The language enthusiasts listed a slew of candidates for the longest word in the English language. Some contenders: radioimmunoelectrophoresis (length: 26 letters; definition: no clue, but probably something medical), floccinaucinihilipilification (29 letters; “the estimation of something as valueless“), and antidisestablishmentarianism (28 letters; “opposition to the withdrawal of state support or recognition from an established church“).
All hilariously long words, but according to the Oxford Dictionary, one word trumps ‘em all: the little used “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.” That’s 45 letters, kids. Dictionary.com explains that it refers to “a lung disease caused by silica dust.” The word is, thankfully, quite obscure, so some might argue that it doesn’t count. However, Oxford explains that the word (which I refuse to re-type) is included in its dictionaries. So, I say the title belongs to it.
How about the longest English word that’s only one syllable? Again, I turned to the Oxford Dictionary, and it didn’t let me down. Apparently, there are several nine-letter words that hold the record. They are, in no particular order of loquaciousness: screeched, scratched, scrounged, scrunched, stretched, straights, and strengths.
Phew, got all that? Do you guys have a favorite word you like to drop in conversations to make you seem smart? Whenever I’m looking to impress somebody I like to haughtily say the word “thus” whenever making my point. When I want to be passive aggressive, I drop the word “actually” as often as possible. Got any other tricks for impressing and annoying others with language? Please leave a comment below. And thus, you will be heard.
Thanks for reading,
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
- Rating:
(17 votes, average: 4.41) - Permalink
- Comments (20)
Loading ...
Subscribe
One of my favorite words may sound “insulting”, but it actually means
“beautiful”, “gorgeous”, “pretty”, “stunning”. Try telling a lovely woman
that she is PULCHRITUDINOUS:
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/thesaurus/entry/pulchritudinous
the longest word has 30 letters not 28 it’s “pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism” (pseudoPHP) is an inherited disorder that is caused by a mutation in the Gαs gene imprinted on the paternal chromosome.
pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is “a factitious word “according to the Oxford English Dictionary, meaning counterfeit, fabricated much like the Mary ppoppins word!
I find there’s only one way to impress with writing. Keep it short, plain, clear. And stick to the point.
There are plenty of ways to annoy people. My pet hate is “going forward”. This means nothing, but politicians and managers think it sounds great and they use it a lot.
I’m not an expert for English, it even isn’t my native language, but “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis” looks too artificial – more logical seems “pneumonoultramicroscopic silicovolcanoconiosis” (two words), as “microscopic” looks like the end of (completed) adjective, not prefix.
Some times words are like beauty; in the eyes of the beholder-the interested.
What do you think of dire? Has to be the right conversation to use it properly or instead of sounding smart you’ll sound like Forest Gump.
One that can be used in abundance is therefore. Same thing as Mikes thus. Well thus does sound more pompous. I shall retire to bed, thus i say good night to all.
Actually, there is a MUCH LARGER word, but it’s two pages long in my dictionary and I’ll misspell it anyway so i am not copying it. It is some kind chemical, I think.
People who try to impress others usually look like they are trying to impress others. Instead of inserting big words in conversations or attempting to appear smart, remember the aura of quiet intelligence. Gifted intellects do not try to answer every question or show how smart they are. If you’ve got it, you don’t have to prove it.
[...] All hilariously long words, but according to the Oxford Dictionary, one word trumps ‘em all: the little used “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.” That’s 45 letters, kids. Dictionary.com explains that it refers to “a lung disease caused by silica dust.” The word is, thankfully, quite obscure, so some might argue that it doesn’t count. However, Oxford explains that the word (which I refuse to re-type) is included in its dictionaries. So, I say the title belongs to it. via yanswersblog.com [...]
One of my favorite words to use on someone is, “insipid”, which means: dull, flat, or tasteless as defined by Websters dictionary. Try it on some stuffed shirt, know it all and they will invariably look at you with the most amusing blank stares.
Mike, you rock! I’ve enjoyed all of your blogs, especially the ones about words. My BA is in English and writing, but my MBA is in business and accounting! Of course, the wrong word in a legal business document could cause havoc. But I just love the English language, messy as it is, and I love reading about our words. Keep up the good word
That last comment was supposed to end with “work”, not “word”; but I guess a Freudian Slip is as good as any ending!
Technically, that is not the longest word, this link shows you the longest word
http://www.sarahmcculloch.com/luminaryuprise/longest-word.html The link shows you the longest word
189,891 letters long
dude you spelled it wrong its pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoKoniosis
Koniosis
Ohh,I ever here this word before.
it is realy long.
When I was younger…in the 50′s the longest word
was Antidisestablishmentarianism. That was a long
time ago though…I’m sure there are many longer words now.
A word I always love to use is perogative…as
Well that’s your perogative…which only means something like your “choice”.
@ Steve J
I love using that word and my best friend hates my usage of long words that fit into that category