What’s your favorite word?
The daily prompt what’s my favorite word has many answers.
My top 10 favorite words (in no particular order)
- Pupitre. Desk in French. When I started learning French in high school, I picked up on this word because it sounded like puppy. It was my nickname for my dachshund until he died.
- Facciamo compromesso. We agree in Italian. Literally we make a compromise or agreement. This phrase was one the most common phrases in the ricordanze (memory books) I studied in grad school. They are the opening words of legal agreements fashioned by medieval Florentine merchants.
- Felicitate. To congratulate or celebrate in Indian English. This is a leftover Britishism that Indians have retained. It’s most often used for chief guests at events or for award winners, but has many uses.
- Prepone. To move a meeting ahead in Indian English. This word is the opposite of postpone. Obviously. We don’t use it in the U.S. It’s a shame.
- Lekin. But in Hindi. I don’t why actually, but this word will still end up in my English even now.
- Jugaad. Workaround in Hindi. This word finally made it into the OED in 2017, but Americans don’t use it.
- Chalo. Let’s go in Hindi. It’s often used as a phone sign off. I still say this too, especially if I am speaking with an Indian on a call. It’s also the name of a magazine I wrote for while I lived in Mumbai.
- Zindagi. Life in Urdu and Hindi. This word is stunningly beautiful to me. It was the working title for my book.
- Hana, dol, set. One, two, three in Korean. You might also have heard the Minions use these words. I was learning Korean when I saw the Minions for the first time, and the language is unmistakable.
- Literally. Naturally, I use this figuratively. Like most writers. 😉 Thank you to Merriam-Webster for fighting the good fight about this word irregardless, among others.
