WAG - What’s the Word?
The BBC is having an online poll to pick Britain’s “best word.”
We Yanks may technically be on the wrong side of the pond to vote in such an event, but I figure if world leaders are doing their best to influence U.S. political policy, a few of us former colonists can vote in a simple internet survey.
Here are the top ten finalists:
Circumbendibus. It's a roundabout way of saying that someone has a roundabout way of saying something.
Dad. It feels like a golden jewel encrusted crown and I'm wearing it.
Discombobulated. I am sure I feel it but never know if I am just confused.
Flibbertigibbet. For when standard cursing just won't do.
Home. It's a place of complete belonging and happiness. The most carefree place in the world.
Kerfuffle. Just has that local news, not that serious really, British vibe.
Love. It's so incredibly complex that you don't understand it until you are in it.
Mummy. Although there are a lot of us out there this one is only for me.
Serendipity. It reminds of the sixties when I fortunately discovered it.
Smithereens. It means tiny little bits but could also be a family of little people .- the Smithereens.
I don’t get their rationale for “Dad,” and I wouldn’t quite deem “Home” a carefree place, but most of them seem pretty good.
Due to my constant exposure to the word, thanks to my sister’s constant use of it, I would prefer to go with “Discombobulated” though the definition for “Smithereens” temps me as well.
Currently, “Kerfuffle” is in the lead, but that is because the online version of the Wall Street Journal Opinion page posted a link to the site with the suggestion that readers vote for the word.
It’s funny seeing an American paper help determine the best British word, but I still encourage others to weigh in.
Will “Circumbendibus” get around to winning, or will “Mummy” stop it in its tracks. Or who is to say “Serendipity” may surprisingly take the cake?
We’ll see. Cast your vote and find out (or if these words don’t fit your test, list your own selection in our comments box, located conveniently below).
'Have_you_heard_the_word'
