#33 Happy Words
I LOVE words and I truly believe that words can have a huge influence on the way we feel. Sadly most of us only use a fraction of the incredible range of spectacular words that we have available to us. if you think about it, words are such a big part of our lives - the way we communicate with each other, the way we are inspired by books or music lyrics, the instruments to express our feelings.
So this blog is dedicated to words, firstly some of my favourite words that have happy vibes, secondly a few old English words that really make me laugh and thirdly, how our choice of words can improve our well-being.
Some of my favourite words
The reason I love these words is that they have such positive connotations - it’s very difficult not to smile when you think about their meaning:
FROLIC - play or move about in a cheerful and lively way
SHENANIGANS - Silly or high-spirited behaviour; mischief
CUDDLE - hold close in one's arms as a way of showing love or affection
COSY - giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation
TICKLE - lightly touch or prod (a person or a part of the body) in a way that causes mild discomfort or itching and often laughter
SPARKLE - be vivacious and witty or shine brightly with flashes of light
I am fascinated by the number of words to describe different types of laughter (these words remind me of comics like the Beano that had minimal space to express sounds):
GIGGLE - laugh lightly and repeatedly in a silly way, from amusement, nervousness, or embarrassment
SNIGGER - laugh in a half-suppressed, typically scornful way
CHORTLE - laugh in a noisy, gleeful way
GUFFAW - laugh loudly and heartily
CHUCKLE - laugh quietly or inwardly
TITTER - give a short, half-suppressed laugh
Old words we should still use
One of the things I like to do is look up words that are no longer used because they just have a great sound to them OR because they have hilarious out-dated meanings. I personally think we should bring some of these back!
COCKALORUM - A small man with a big opinion of himself
NIZZLE - To be slightly intoxicated, to be worse for liquor; to be unsteady
CALLIPYGIAN - Of, pertaining to, or having well-shaped or finely developed buttocks
FOPDOODLE - An insignificant or foolish man
FUDGEL - Pretending to work when you’re really doing nothing at all
MUMPSIMUS - An incorrect view of something a person will not let go of
GIGLET - A merry light-hearted, playful, romping girl
TOOZLE - To pull about – especially applied to any rough dalliance with a female
Choosing the right words
Our choice of words really do have an influence on how we feel , how we portray ourselves and how others perceive us. Words are so powerful that they can destroy relationships and careers and tear people down. But on the flip side, they can also help to build strong relationships, inspire and life people up. Positivity is contagious so choosing happy, uplifting and hopeful words really make a huge difference - even when we are talking to ourselves! So try to avoid negative words and phrases and think about, Here are some examples:
Instead of starting a presentation or meeting with ‘I have probably got this completely wrong but….’ or ‘i am not an expert on this topic but’ - start using positive phrases that will set the tone from the beginning ‘I am excited to have the opportunity to present this….’ or ‘I would really welcome your feedback as It’s something that I really want to help with’
Instead of launching into an argument with someone close to you with ‘You don’t…..’ ‘You never….’ (which immediately makes someone go on the defensive) think about using words to express how their behaviour makes you feel ‘It makes me feel upset when you…..’ or to encourage them to act differently ‘I know that you are capable of X so please see it from my perspective‘
Instead of telling yourself ‘I am useless at this so may as well give up’ or ‘Why would anyone listen to what I have to say’, start telling yourself how fabulous you are and how much you have to offer as confidence gets attention
I am always interested in hearing new or unusual words so please share your favourites with me - now I am off to read the dictionary.
