Henry James once said the two most beautiful words in the English language are “summer afternoon.” J.R.R. Tolkein was fond of “cellar door” as an especially evocative combination. Writers enjoy toying with words they find especially interesting, suggestive, or grating. Here are a handful of words that writers have often cited as being particularly lovely:
Gossamer; Wisteria; Wind Chimes; Halcyon; Tranquility; Nevermore; Chalice; Evanescent; Talisman; Ethereal; Oleander
On the flip side, let’s take a look at words cited as the ugliest in the English language. Thanks to writer William R. Espy for generating these candidates!
Ugliest Words: Fructify; Kumquat; Crepuscular; Gargoyle; Jukebox; Plutocrat; Phlegmatic; Blog; Ointment; Splurge; Nougat
If you can think of other particularly ugly or pretty words, let me know!
Comments 2
Pretty words: Symphony, lavender, tranquility
Really gross words: vomit. Fugue.
Prettiest: impermanence, carpe diem,
Ugliest: foie gras