My favorite word is plethora.
It means "a superabundance; an excess" or in my own words "a whole lot."
I try to work this word into my normal conversation and get a secret little thrill of delight when I manage it. It's like I've taken myself to a higher level of functioning because I can say, "Oh - I see we have a plethora of ideas today" rather than "bunches" of ideas.
Well, I told my dad about my secret love of "plethora" and he told me that he does the same thing! Only his word is "ubiquitous" which means "being present everywhere at once." I think that is a harder word and much more difficult to work into normal conversation, plus it doesn't quite roll off the tongue like plethora, but he likes it.
Lately, we've been having a little competition of sorts to work these "super words" into our conversations with each other, and I have to admit, my dad is winning. 'Where does he come up with these words?' I ask myself when they're spilling out one after another. I have my suspicions that he has a little cheat sheet he pulls out right before he calls me so that he can keep me constantly amazed at his dexterous vocabulary.
My husband tried to help me by emailing me unusual words, but it didn't really work. I said, "The word just has to lend itself naturally to the conversation; it can't be forced or it's not as fun."
I think this fascination with words comes from my love of reading, a trait which I also share with my dad. I think the way people talk in books is so wonderful and rich, so much more powerful and expressive than the words most of choose to actually say. There is a bit from the movie National Treasure that I really relate to. Ben is talking to Abigail about their search for the next clue and he's using some really beautiful words and she says, "You know, no one really talks that way anymore." And Ben says, "No, but they think that way." It's true!
So, here's to talking a little more like we think. Less "cool" and more "exhilarating."
I'm sure there's a plethora of words just waiting to be used.
