The Renegade Writer

The ugliest words in English

Courtesy of WorldHum, I chuckled this afternoon over an article in the UK’s Telegraph, which tells us which English words sound the ugliest to Italians.

Topping the list was “weekend.” Those crazy Italianos are kidding, right? Out of all the words we Anglos wield, the Italians alight on weekend? (OT, but I love how the British say weekend, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. Week-END.) What about unguent? Phlegmatic? Pus? Or if we can consider the profane, how about bypassing Saturday and Sunday for C U next Tuesday?

What English words irritate your eardrums? Add your comments below. [db]

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6 Responses

  1. emily says:

    I hate the sound of Webinar, synergy and slacks. The word “preggers” and the phrase “baby bump” drive me crazy. I also dislike the word “bipartisan,” but only because it’s so overused.

  2. Erin Maher says:

    Moist. Peeve. Foible. Margot. Actually, that’s a name, and I think it’s more French than anything.

    I look forward to hearing others responses.

  3. Alyson says:

    Arghh “schedule” no matter how it is said, is like nails down a blackboard for me!

  4. megan says:

    “Disenfranchized” It just makes me want to roll my eyes. Let’s come up with a more practical less “fancy-pants” word.

  5. Kate says:

    I think they would have felt better about weekend if the meaning was explained to them.

    My choices:

    Ointment
    Sprawl
    Truncated

  6. Brittany says:

    I hate the word Land. i dont know why i just always have. it makes poeple sound stupid when they say it. I also hate the word juxtapostion. cause it sounds confusing.

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