Words

The other day, a friend of mine in conversation used a word that I had never heard before.  I forget what exactly it was, but I just kind of nodded and went along with it, all the while mentally puzzling through what it could possibly mean, but too insecure in the fact that I, an English major, didn't recognize the word that I couldn't stop and ask exactly what the word meant.  I have an image to maintain, you know.  By the time I got back to the safety of my room where I could then consult dictionary.com for the definition, I had already forgotten what exactly the word was and it was too late to take a bite of humble pie and ask that friend to repeat the word.  So many regrets.

In any case, I really admire people who use unique words in daily conversation.  Even if they don't use them entirely properly, many brownie points just for knowing the word and remembering it and having the gumption to produce it in a sentence.

Words are sort of an obsession of mine.  New words are like candy.  They're a treat, particularly when they perfectly encapsulate a feeling or thought or idea that previously I had needed to use a string of words instead of the more compact single word.