
The Word "Moist"
I wonder if you've ever stopped to consider how disgusting the word "moist" is. In some ways, it's a form of onomatopoeia. (Wow. I spelt that right the first time. I feel incredible.) Anyway, the word "moist" honestly sounds like some kind of revolting puddle one might step in. When I think of moist things, they are seldom ever pleasant - a poorly rinsed sponge, a mouldy muffin, a rotting apple, a cat's vomit... these are the things that come to mind. Therefore, the word "moist" appears to be appropriate when one is describing something that is undiluted awful. For instance: some sort of nasty creature in a fantasy world or something horrid that someone might see in a villain's lab in a sci-fi book.
Moist. Just say it a few times. Gross yourself out.
And now let's move on, before I put you off your dinner.
The Word "Hapless"
I just think this word is gorgeous. It has a very pleasing sound, a wonderful "a" vowel as in the word "cat". This word is from Middle English, in which "hap" refers to good fortune. Hence, being "happy" is to reside in a state of good fortune. Being "hapless" is to have absolutely no luck or fortune at all. "Hapless" has a sort of condescending pity about it, as if it was invented simply to describe "some poor fool". I personally like it in patronizing dialogue ("Poor Peter was nothing but a helpless squire," Priscilla said. "It's a shame he got killed in jousting practise") or wry prose ("The hapless squire Peter was accidentally impaled during jousting practise, as all the knights had, for a long time, supposed he would be"). I find this word to have a very dry humour about it.
What's your latest word discovery?