It’s hot today, and as I write you this blog post, I’m thinking it would be good to have a bit of fun with grandiloquent words. I love language; that’s why I’m a writer. My husband likes to laugh at me for using six words (including a long one) to tell him off when one or two would have done.
I’m not a fan of excessive swearing. I’m not a prude and there’s certainly a place for a well-aimed expletive, I just hate it when the eff word is used as a verb, a noun, and adjective, and ruins a good sentence by blanking out all the other words that it’s replaced. That’s probably why documentaries on Channel Five get on my nerves so much.
I went on the hunt for fantastic words that have fallen out of favour but really need to be brought back in.
Ten rather lovely grandiloquent words…
Language is a wonderful thing, and I find it endlessly fascinating. With that in mind, I’ve found ten quite lovely words that you might not have considered using before. I’d be very impressed if you managed to squeeze them into a blog post and link to it in a comment…
Dishabille
Noun
- the state of being dressed in a careless, dishevelled, or disorderly style or manner; undress.
- a disorderly or disorganized state of mind or way of thinking.
Perfect for a fashion blog, don’t you think? “Don’t be dishabille – get 50% off your summer wardrobe at New Look.”
Oniomania
- an uncontrollable desire to buy things
There are so many possible uses for this word. Unless you sell fruit and veg, in which case things could get very confusing indeed.
Sirenize
Verb
- To bewitch, allure or enchant.
This one would work perfectly in beauty copywriting, don’t you think? I wonder why Benefit or L’Oreal haven’t picked up on sirenize and exploited the hell out of it in their marketing copy. Now’s your chance, get it into your brochure while you can!
Ninnyhammer
- a fool or simpleton; a ninny.
You can keep your Jeremy Kyle insults and Twitter spat language, I reckon you could stop any argument in its tracks by using one grandiloquent word. The person you’re insulting would just look at you as if you were completely mad, and his or her confusion would give you enough time to run away. Or make a cup of tea. I’m not sure how you’d incorporate it into a blog post, but where there’s a will…
Snoutfair
Noun:
- person with a handsome countenance
- person with a pleasing outward appearance, but who may be lacking in character or scruples
No doubt we can all think of a few people who deserve this description. There are certainly a few celebrities I can think of who might fit the bill. Pretty but dim? Pretty but mean? Handsome but untrustworthy? Who could I be referring to? You decide…
Soodle
Verb:
- to walk slowly
- to walk or move in a leisurely manner
This is probably about the most energetic I’ll get while the weather is hot and humid. It’s the perfect word for summer, used in descriptions of lazy Sunday afternoons, holidays and country picnics. “I think I might soodle down to the shop for an ice cream…”
Defenestrate
Verb
- a throwing of a person or thing out of a window.
- a usually swift dismissal or expulsion (such as from a political party or office).
Totally relate to this word. I am most likely to use it in the following context;
“If this bloody laptop doesn’t start doing what I tell it to, I’m going to defenestrate it!”
Clinomania
- an excessive desire to lie down or to remain in bed.
I think we can all relate to this grandiloquent word. It might be useful for spa menus. Or perhaps for anyone who wants a day off work but has run out of excuses for pulling a sickie.
“Sarah can’t come into work today. She’s got acute clinomania.”
Agerasia
Noun.
- youthful appearance in an old person
A great word to slip into your anti-ageing facial menu? In fact, wouldn’t it make a fantastic name for a facial product or treatment range? I think Boots No. 7 are missing a trick with that one. Maybe I’ll copyright it as a product name in advance…
Forswunke
Adjective
- exhausted after physical exertion.
A great grandiloquent word to finish with, I think. Forswunke is a very descriptive word; it sounds just like its meaning. For grammar nerds, that means it’s Onomatopoeic. Yes, I did have to look up how to spell that.
Other onomatopoeic words are words like swoosh, splash, woof, meow. I think Forswunke just sounds like the noise I make when I flop exhaustedly onto the sofa after a busy day.
Do you think you could manage to get any of those into a Facebook post, Tweet or even better, a blog post? I have to see it!
PS: “Grandiloquent – pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impress.”