WORDS WE LOVE

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Hi Writers,
Thanks to all who contributed to "Words We Hate" (see my previous post). Back on this language sensitivity issue, though, I've been feeling a bit like an uptight English teacher who's picking on the bad kids without acknowledging the good ones.

So in that spirit, I'd like to share with you "Words I Love" and I'd like you to share your darlings, too.

I love words that have double oos:
oomph (even though it's an onomatopoeia and I hate the word onomatopoeia)
smooth
spoof

I love French menu sounding words, and try to work them into my writing whenever I can get away with it, without sounding pretentious (which is a challenge):
frisson
flambe
beignet

I love almost all words that begin with a Z:
zip
zither
zest

I don't know why I like these words--maybe one of our resident linguists can tell us why.

So let's hear it: What words make your heart beat faster?

Keep Writing,
Maria

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