Free Republic

The meanings and negative associations of moist make it ugly, just as positive associations can make other words seem lovely. People seem to dislike the sound of the word moist. It tops so many “Ugliest Words in the English Language” lists that psychologists at Oberlin College in Ohio and Trinity University in Texas decided to investigate. Their study participants tended to blame the word’s “phonological properties.” “It just has an ugly sound that makes whatever you’re talking about sound gross,” one person said. Foist, hoist, and rejoice, though, did not evoke negative responses, despite their similar sound patterns. Participants thought...

As guardians of the English language, usually garrulous tongued UK residents are finding themselves at a loss for words. Many of their favourite phrases have been banned. Dozens of taxpayer-funded organizations in the UK are drawing black lines through dozens of common words and phrases they’ve decided are offensive. You won’t find any "gentleman’s agreements" being made in the halls of the National Gallery in London. Such bonds are now "unwritten agreements." No place is safe from being suspect – even the "master bedroom" is a problem for uber-sensitive officials at Newcastle University. But on this side of the Atlantic,...