Jennifer and Emily of Mothers of Brothers volunteered to be our hostesses for this week's Fun monday. The following is our assignment this week:
So here is your Fun Monday Topic: Wordly Wise
Words are our building blocks, our stepping stones, and, for many of us, our salvation. We string them together so quickly at times, we often lose sight of how precious they are. So tell us about your favorite word… or if you can’t pick just one, tell us about a few. Are there certain words that feel good the way they roll of your tongue? Do some words make you feel smart? Or silly? Or happy? Which words do you find yourself selecting to put in your posts? Since this response could be a short one, feel free to poll your family and friends and include some of their favorite words as well. If you think a definition is required, please share one. Please keep the words rated G for all audiences. Any language is acceptable, but please provide a translation. And stick to real words as opposed to ones made up along the way. We then challenge everyone to visit the posts on Monday and try to use other bloggers’ favorite words in your blog next week. We can’t wait to expand our vocabulary
Well...this is my pet-peeve word for the past two years -
as·phalt /ˈæsfɔlt or, especially Brit., -fælt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[as-fawlt or, especially Brit., -falt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. any of various dark-colored, solid, bituminous substances, native in various areas of the earth and composed mainly of hydrocarbon mixtures.
2. a similar substance that is the by-product of petroleum-cracking operations.
3. a mixture of such substances with gravel, crushed rock, or the like, used for paving.
–verb (used with object) 4. to cover or pave with asphalt.
–adjective 5. of, pertaining to, or containing asphalt: asphalt tile.
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[Origin: 1275–1325; earlier asphaltos, -um <>
It's pronounced ASS fault not ASH fault unless you're British!
My boss can't seem to pronounce it right and I have been biting my tongue for TWO YEARS now and it is driving me insane! I am waiting fo the right moment to "enlighten" her as to the proper pronunciation of the word.
She is NOT British, BTW.
At this particular moment in time, my favorite word is MOJITO. Sounds nice and makes my mouth water.
Other words I like, for different reasons:
- Truth
- Honesty
- Believe
- Faith
- LOVE
- Peace
- Ocean
- Platypus
- Kayak
- Caribbean
- Island
31 comments:
Ok - you totally cracked me up. I wonder if your boss pronounces Mojito with a hard "j"? You were so very thoughtful here - and Im glad you included your pet peeve. Words can calm us or make us crazy!! Loved this!
Thanks for sharing your words.
Interesting that you boss cannot pronounce asphalt. Are you in the road paving business so that you hear the word frequently?
Molly, no, but we are undergoing renovations where I work and there has been constant talk of re-asphalting the parking lots and driveways.
Until a few years ago, when we put in an ashpalt driveway at our old house, I said this word incorrectly. If only I had known you then....
Great post. Tell your boss the truth, no more tongue biting. I hear MOJITO, all the time, and I've never had one. Note to self, must remedy.
I love your list of words...the ass-phalt made me laugh..I wonder how you can politely tell her? maybe show her the definition!!
Oh yes, at this time on Sunday evening "mojito" sounds lovely to me also! Much more appealing than ASS fault! I once had a boss who told us we must establish good "lapport" with people we dealt with in our work. . .
Hysterical! I've never heard anyone pronounce it the way your boss does. I had to transcribe tons of dictation for a former boss and she pronounced Atlanta as "Ahlana" and Respondent as "Respondient". Drove me insane!
Hmm, here in Australia we pronounce it ash-felt. (Or at least I do. But let's remember that Australian is definitely another language altogether!)
It drives me crazy when my husband says "alls", but let's not tell him. :)
I love platypus!
oh... Platypus. Yes that is a great one.
I'm giggling about the ash business.
I guess if she can't pronounce it really isn't her fault. It's the Asphalt.
I looked up Platypus. I'd have to go to a zoo to see one, but it's a nice word, or is it a name?
lol Love the word pet peeve thing.
I'll join you with your love for the word Caribbean and and Island. :)
ha ha tell your boss to say tarmac it's a lot easier...I bet a lot of Brits don't pronounce it correctly either!!
"Ocean" was on my husband's list (as was "noir").
I've never had a mojito either...
The ASS-fault is cracking me up!
Oh, mispronunciations and misspelling are SO my pet peeves!
I almost included platypus today...LOVE that word!
Interesting ‘take’ on today’s challenge. The word mojito is appealing on many levels and I love the words on your list at the end …
Hugs and blessings,
When I saw that your favorite word was Mojito, it threw me into the asphalt.
I never heard asphalt pronounced ash-phalt. I love all the words on your list. You've inspired me to make a post and play along.
Pet peeve word: Nu-culear! Why is this word so difficult?!?! Can your boss say nuclear?
Nice post!!
LOL! I also can't stand when folks pronounce simple words wrong. I love your list of words! Especially Carribbean and Island... wouldn't it be nice to be on one right now?!
Have a Fun Monday!
How often is Asphalt use in your office? And if you want to be realy correct it is Asphaltic Cement. I kid you not
As a Massachusetts transplant, I find I have to carefully enunciate certain words in order to sound normal. The hardest words for me are "piano" and "Gloria" or as I would say if I were not careful, "pianar" and "Gloriar." Oh, and there is no way I could ever drive a "Miatar" because I couldn't pronounce it right. Fortunately, "Celica" rolls right off my tongue without a problem.
I am cracking up over the thought of you losing patience one day, turning to your boss and yelling "ASS-FAULT it's ASS-FAULT!" Your list of words are right up there with mine. Anything that evokes images of cool rum drinks and a southern breeze off the water. Yep, those are my favorites.
My pet peave is when people around here talk about being Ocean Front. That's the Gulf - not the Ocean - you can't even see the Ocean from here LOL
I am cracking up over the thought of you losing patience one day, turning to your boss and yelling "ASS-FAULT it's ASS-FAULT!" Your list of words are right up there with mine. Anything that evokes images of cool rum drinks and a southern breeze off the water. Yep, those are my favorites.
My pet peave is when people around here talk about being Ocean Front. That's the Gulf - not the Ocean - you can't even see the Ocean from here LOL
I don't know why it posted twice - sorry about that.
I've got two:
It's REALTOR, not realator
and it's NUCLEAR, not nucular...
Can someone please say Vet-er-in-ar-i-an right? Not Vet-rin-arian? Hehehe. Love the ash-fault story!
That's why I just call you "The Vet"!
one of the words I don't use because I cannot pronouce, yeah, I went to a British school :-)
Platypus is a GREAT word! :)
I've never heard anyone pronounce "asphalt" that way. I'll consider myself blessed, because that would make me NUTS, too.
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