Lottie's Top 5 Words

As this blog is still very up in the air at the moment, a wide variety of topics are bound to be covered. It's worth checking back regularly to see whether a topic you find interesting pops up... if it doesn't, suggest it!
Onwards!! (ओंवार्ड्स)
Language is a very important part of life, adding colour to our communication and helping us spread our message out into the world. And what would language be without those little gems which make us smile when we read them? This inspired me to create a list of these brilliant little (and big) words in the hope that spreading knowledge of them may help our daily communication to become less of a burden and more of a joy.

And so, my gift to you - wonderful coinages which roll mellifluously off the tongue.
After all, words can put the fun in function.

At Number Five: Mandate

Recently this word has caught my ear on the news, as people discussing all sorts of mandates occurring between politicians...
Turns out that these guys aren't actually going out for romantic evenings together, but actually it refers to a much more dull definition: a formal order from a superior court.

At Number Four: Discombobulate

Makes you wonder whether anyone actually bothers using this word seriously, as every time I hear it I just let out a snigger. It means to confuse or upset, or cause chaos.

At Number Three: Pooh-bah

Let's be honest... it's because it contains the word poo, and everyone gets a giggle out of that. And, poo can be tenuously linked to the definition of the word - it refers to a person of great power or influence, or one who holds many public or private offices.

At Number Two: Flibbertigibbet

Yes, it is a real word! Consult the dictionary for a confirmation! I want to meet the person who came up with this word and shake them warmly by the hand in congratulations. The definition is 'a silly flighty person'. How... lovely.

And finally, at number one, the best word I have found to date: Gimcrack

I don't know what it is about it. Maybe it's the plosive sounds, maybe it's because it sounds like a brilliant insult, maybe it's just because it contains the word 'crack'. But the meaning of this word is a world away from its rude sounding root: it simply means 'a showy item of little worth or value'.

Go forth, use these words and celebrate the wonder that is the English language!