Hello, everyone. Welcome to another segment of Wednesday Words.
We have all heard and used made-up words before, and because of my oldest granddaughter, that is what I want to talk about today.
Can you guess the longest made-up word? Here’s what I found:
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is an invented term that was coined by Everett M. Smith, the president of the National Puzzlers’ League. The Oxford English Dictionary lists pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis as “a factitious word alleged to mean a lung disease caused by inhalation of very fine silica dust usually found in volcanos. So, from that perspective, it’s both factual and fictitious. Sounds like a lot of our stories, doesn’t it?
Surprised? I seriously thought it would be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, but Mr. Smith’s word has it beat.
Why am I talking about made-up words? Because my oldest granddaughter uses a made-up word in daily conversation. Her word is confuzzled. When I asked what it meant to her, she said it was when you were both confused and puzzled. 🙂
Here’s Sydney’s confuzzled look:
What about you? Do you use made-up words? What are they? I’d love to hear them!
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Love it! Do I have her permission to use it?
Confuzzled, I love it! She should try to get it added to the dictionary. I think there’s a yearly competition for new words that have gone viral, or something. That’s a winner!
Oh, I’ve never heard of a yearly competition for new words, Jacquie. We’ll look into it. I agree. It’s a winner!
I love made up words, especially when I think I know what they mean. Like Staci, my family also had a vocabulary of words that we use.
I love that, Michele! It might be fun to create a family dictionary full of made-up words. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
You have brought a new challenge to my “wee brain.” As soon as I finished reading your blog, my brain went into its creativity mode. My word is short and easy: “conprothouts” meaning indecisive thoughts.
A great made-up word, Karen! So glad you enjoyed the post.
Very cute and I love that word. My husband and I make up a lot of words. It’s pretty fun!
Fun games with words, Jacqui. I love it. Thank you for leaving a comment.
My kids and I have so many, some people might think we’ve made up a language. I love confuzzled. It’s perfect!
Lol, Staci. I can visualize you and your kids with lots of made-up words. 🙂 Fun stuff! Glad you like Sydney’s word.
We have to teach Eva!
I love the word confuzzled and I so relate as I’m often that way. As far as the longest word, I’m not even going to attempt to pronounce it. And I thought the medical term, hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy was long. (At least I could say it.) 🙂
Oh my! That is a long word and I wouldn’t even begin to pronounce it, Joan. I’m glad you like Sydney’s made-up word. I often feel confuzzled, too. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
I love confuzzled. If enough of us use it, it may end up in the dictionary. I may have a character use it in one of my books. I know its been around for a while now, but I like hangry (so hungry you’re angry). Your granddaughter is adorable. I hope she makes up more words.
Lol, Darlene. I suppose that’s how new words make it into the dictionary. A few years ago, a tweet was something a bird did, and I’d never heard of an emoji. 🙂 Words are so fascinating. I am familiar with hangry. That’s a good example. Thank you for joining in the conversation.
Shakespeare made up tons of words and phrases that we use every day now.
Your granddaughter is precious–and hilarious. I love her word! ?
Thank you, Gwen. I love it too, and her expression defines it perfectly! Thank you for stopping by!
The best one I ever heard was ‘flusterated.’ It is a combo of flustered, frustrated, and exasperated. I first heard it used by a guy in Kansas City describing his feelings about having me as his new boss. Fun post , Jan.
Lol, John. That’s a great word and I won’t even ask what you did to earn that word creation. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
It is a good story. ?
John, I had to laugh at that one. 🙂
I did too when I heard it.
I think making up words shows a lot of creativity. I can think of couples with inside jokes based on words they’ve invented.
That is so true, Pete. My Sydney does have a huge imagination. 🙂 I love couple inside jokes. Rick and I had some that no one else understood. I’m sure you and your wife do, too. Thanks for visiting!
I think confuzzled is a great word. I love the expression for it! Xo
I agree, Denise. Great word and sometimes it fits. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I love confuzzled! I use ridonkulous a lot. It’s ridiculous to an asinine level (hence, the donkey). 😉
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Love that, Yvette! I’ll have to share that one with Sydney. I have a feeling she’ll latch onto it. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Oooo… I love your granddaughter’s made-up word. When I’m frustrated, I create all kinds of words no one understands. 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your week, Jan!
Yep! Love that, Mary. Thank you for stopping by!
Sidney is so funny. And smart. The one I’m constantly hearing these days is “anyhoo.” They use it in place of anyhow. Have a good day, Sister and don’t get confuzzled. ha! 🙂
Lol! It’s hard not to be confuzzled these days, sister. 🙂 Love the anyhoo word, too. Thanks for stopping by! Love you!
I hope it’s okay with your granddaughter if I use her word, Jan. It’s brilliant! It sounds like you might have another writer in the family. 🙂
I smile every time I hear her say it, Jill. I’m quite sure she wouldn’t mind sharing the word. There are situations where it is befitting. Thank you for stopping by! Have a great day!
I love the idea of made up words, but don’t know if I have that much creativity. It would make for a fun supporting character who has that habit.
Oh, I love that, Craig. Why not? It would give a distinct character trait. Thanks for stopping by.
Ha! I like confuzzled.
I do too, Dan. In fact I may start using it. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.