An Unnecessary Rant

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 พ.ค. 2021
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ความคิดเห็น • 1.7K

  • @chelrok8764
    @chelrok8764 3 ปีที่แล้ว +529

    Undula was not like the other girls. Her undulating hair flows from her head, and her voice undulates through the windows like none other. Her undulating hip movements hypnotize the patrons who undulate in rhythm with her hips.

    • @MxSherwood
      @MxSherwood 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Pfft, not realistic at all. No mentioning of a sentient boob at all??

    • @AnimatorBlake
      @AnimatorBlake 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      @@MxSherwood Her breasts, undulating with each sway, spoke volumes about her. In that they were quite voluminous and inspired much speech about this fact. The soundwaves of the voices undulating towards and then off of them.

    • @saulcervantes1975
      @saulcervantes1975 2 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      She undulated down the stairs, her undules undulating undulatily

    • @pixxghost7493
      @pixxghost7493 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ... I don't... I can't... How did...

    • @britneynicole8903
      @britneynicole8903 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Wow, people. Just wow. 😬

  • @benjaminwatt2436
    @benjaminwatt2436 3 ปีที่แล้ว +91

    This helps so much, i just added "undulate" to five of my manuscripts, now i feel certain i'll be published

  • @michaelhayden5203
    @michaelhayden5203 3 ปีที่แล้ว +261

    “We undulated against each other” is going to haunt me.

    • @britneynicole8903
      @britneynicole8903 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      That sentence is just plaguing my mind now.

  • @sotomayorsofwv4381
    @sotomayorsofwv4381 3 ปีที่แล้ว +131

    My favorite part is Merphy’s “interpretive dance” to interpret the phrase “undulating arms”.

  • @AndYouWillBeWithMe
    @AndYouWillBeWithMe 3 ปีที่แล้ว +630

    Merphy: "Cory, put music in to make it more dramatic."
    Music: kinda derpy
    Cory, my man!

    • @scorpian221
      @scorpian221 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Yes that made me laugh my ass off 😆

    • @AndYouWillBeWithMe
      @AndYouWillBeWithMe 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@scorpian221 me too hahaha

    • @Mentat1231
      @Mentat1231 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It sounded like an Alan Silvestri score for some 90s comedy movie.

    • @c_eggy
      @c_eggy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      CORY, MY MAN !

    • @noraeld5020
      @noraeld5020 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Honestly made this video a comedic masterpiece

  • @b_g_c3281
    @b_g_c3281 3 ปีที่แล้ว +201

    "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
    ~ Iñigo Montoya

  • @petemarshall3512
    @petemarshall3512 3 ปีที่แล้ว +375

    “I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor,” said Frodo, as Gandalf’s eyebrows undulated in response.

    • @ahelimukherjee1619
      @ahelimukherjee1619 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      I can now see the Gandalf meme with sounds

    • @Beez-go-buzz
      @Beez-go-buzz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +61

      One simply does not undulate into Mordor

    • @karlwilker579
      @karlwilker579 3 ปีที่แล้ว +50

      @@Beez-go-buzz "I never thought I'd die undulating side by side with an elf".

    • @qeniray9105
      @qeniray9105 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@karlwilker579 Oh my.

    • @genghisgalahad8465
      @genghisgalahad8465 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@karlwilker579 how about side by side with a 🦈 fin? 🌊 ⬆️ ⬇️🔄↗️↘️🤪

  • @Nurat170
    @Nurat170 3 ปีที่แล้ว +131

    If you listen closely enough, you can hear the music undulating.

  • @sir.nonchalant
    @sir.nonchalant 3 ปีที่แล้ว +395

    Me: Writing a novel
    Merphy: Word I never heard of that she hates.
    Me: Maybe I want to be the bad guy.

    • @nellied4893
      @nellied4893 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Same!

    • @Strannik01
      @Strannik01 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      "Undulate" totally sounds like a villain name.

    • @FlyingFocs
      @FlyingFocs 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@Strannik01 Lord Undulate sounds like a great name for a villain in an absurdist fantasy, ngl

    • @flying-sheep
      @flying-sheep ปีที่แล้ว

      Extra evil points to add a character called “Merphy” whose distinguishing characteristic is her frequent undulations.

  • @tomgallier7245
    @tomgallier7245 3 ปีที่แล้ว +246

    An unnecessary rant is warranted every so often. Like this time.

  • @maximilianosalvador9559
    @maximilianosalvador9559 3 ปีที่แล้ว +108

    Just to clarify: Sound undulates, because undulation is the movement a wave does and sound is a wave moving through air

    • @TheAdarkerglow
      @TheAdarkerglow 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      It often undulates when people ululate. :)

    • @pRahvi0
      @pRahvi0 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Not exactly. Human's can only notice oscillation of sufficiently low frequency. So, unless the sound is very low bass, an undulating sound would more likely refer to the volume differing periodically - possibly due to interference (e.g. if you play two notes that are the same but one is slightly off-tune).

    • @ghartman56
      @ghartman56 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      This is one of the only two ways I've actually heard it used in real life. The other is in the context of machines that track other kinds of waves like brain waves or waves of light. No clue why it is used in so many weird contexts in fiction.

  • @aodhfyn2429
    @aodhfyn2429 3 ปีที่แล้ว +47

    Undulate is a great word... but it has no business being in 90% of those sentences.

  • @theonlyslagathor
    @theonlyslagathor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +290

    Omg I can't wait until Merphy's first album "Till Death Do Us Undulate" to drop. I heard it will coincide with the release with her self help book "Why Undulating Has Made Me Happier". Soooooooo hyped.
    (Please don't kill me)

    • @merphynapier42
      @merphynapier42  3 ปีที่แล้ว +131

      I hate everything about this comment 😂😂😂

    • @worstbuddyreaderEddi3
      @worstbuddyreaderEddi3 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      Do you think she'll start doing motivational speaking. Improving your life with Udulation.

    • @theonlyslagathor
      @theonlyslagathor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@worstbuddyreaderEddi3 I've heard rumors about a possible one, but I'm not sure.

    • @lies7253
      @lies7253 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Either you indeed posted this comment 3 days ago, or youtube is on some undulating alcohol

    • @scallasweets2431
      @scallasweets2431 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      everyone stop lol

  • @UdyKumra
    @UdyKumra 3 ปีที่แล้ว +841

    Merphy wtf? Why would you title this "An Unnecessary Rant" and not "An Undulating Rant"????

    • @blaze4111
      @blaze4111 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      i think she wanted to keep the suspense up to the reveal at 1:29

    • @koritsi2142
      @koritsi2142 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      You spoiled it for me :'(
      I take the blame, I shouldn't be scrolling through the comment section before watching the video xD

    • @samgriffithstopford3350
      @samgriffithstopford3350 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You’re a literal genius

    • @savethefantasticfour292
      @savethefantasticfour292 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      The shirt gave it away anyway.

    • @magician531
      @magician531 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      There was no suspense. She could have not revealed the word and it would have been clear which word she meant

  • @nt7592
    @nt7592 3 ปีที่แล้ว +66

    “Oscillation” is a much better word for describing waves or motion lol

    • @adoniscreed4031
      @adoniscreed4031 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I feel like "oscillation" implies a certain speed to the motion whereas "Undulate" implies a slower pace to said wave

    • @corvus_da
      @corvus_da 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      'Undulating' seems to be derived from the Latin word 'unda', meaning 'wave'. So technically, it's the perfect word to describe waves.

    • @kaikalter
      @kaikalter 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@corvus_da or, maybe, saying wave (waving), would suffice aswell

  • @jiji-ht3gc
    @jiji-ht3gc 3 ปีที่แล้ว +53

    my sworn enemy is "grunt"/"grunted". it follows me everywhere.

    • @heybearnation
      @heybearnation 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      But people grunt a lot

    • @jiji-ht3gc
      @jiji-ht3gc 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@heybearnation true. i just have a personal vendetta

    • @ohthreefiftyone
      @ohthreefiftyone 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jiji-ht3gc Okay, but why?

  • @FreyaWarr
    @FreyaWarr 3 ปีที่แล้ว +308

    Brandon Sanderson REALLY likes undulating.

    • @bencebotye3904
      @bencebotye3904 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I lessening Mistborn right now, and thanks to this video essay, will have the same reaction as Merphy have. Thank you Brandon!

    • @charles3840
      @charles3840 3 ปีที่แล้ว +31

      Now I want to see a study: is there a higher percentage of Sanderson using undulated or do we just have more examples because he's a writing robot?

    • @MongooseDoggie
      @MongooseDoggie 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Don't we all?

    • @logicisuseful
      @logicisuseful 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      At least he uses it correctly, unlike some of these (I never realized how many people use it wrong, or use it when they really mean “coruscate” or “ululate”)...

    • @captaincanterberrystudios6920
      @captaincanterberrystudios6920 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      So does Jim Butcher.

  • @lelnel6242
    @lelnel6242 3 ปีที่แล้ว +108

    Ah, yes, as a non-native English speaker it's always nice to learn new words

    • @Pancake.Rnold35
      @Pancake.Rnold35 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Samee here 👋

    • @safala
      @safala 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      New words that I'll never use.

  • @m.c.darwin1897
    @m.c.darwin1897 3 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    That one hated word for me is childbearing, especially when immediately followed by hips. It makes me cringe every time!

  • @lucasgelati
    @lucasgelati 3 ปีที่แล้ว +114

    In portuguese, we call wavy hair "cabelo ondulado", which would translate to undulated hair, so we probably use that word a lot more than english speakers

    • @perfect0nly
      @perfect0nly 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Same 😂 in polish we have ondulacja - a perm 😂

    • @laranidecker6390
      @laranidecker6390 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Same in French, it means wavy

    • @AnaHdezOquet
      @AnaHdezOquet 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Gonna jump in and say that it's also fairly common in Spanish

    • @user-yu4rh6zj9x
      @user-yu4rh6zj9x 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Kkkk mano sim, ondulado aq é mais usado pra cabelo do q pra qualquer outra coisa

    • @OsnofAhcor
      @OsnofAhcor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I am gonna guess that latin languages get that word a lot

  • @cosmoapeters
    @cosmoapeters 3 ปีที่แล้ว +323

    Gonna write a lovecraft-style short now called the Undulating Horror about the wiggliest cosmic horror monster that ever undulated

    • @erinyes3943
      @erinyes3943 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      This comment is scarier than any horror you could write.
      This is a complement, to be clear. Any more horror and any readers wouldn’t be able to go outside without crying.

    • @keithedwinsmith9416
      @keithedwinsmith9416 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Certainly a vast slimy monster with undulating tentacles sounds scarier than a big thing with wiggly tentacles.

    • @none_i5316
      @none_i5316 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I would like to read this story please

    • @AnimatorBlake
      @AnimatorBlake 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The heat coming off its body creating an undulating distortion if the air around it.

  • @BarbersBooks
    @BarbersBooks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +265

    ***hastily deletes every ‘undulate’ from first draft of novel***

    • @Lynn-CA
      @Lynn-CA 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      Nooooooooo, you need to MORE in!

    • @leonmayne797
      @leonmayne797 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I did a word search and I have used it zero times. Success!

    • @Lynn-CA
      @Lynn-CA 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @@leonmayne797 You must take measures to correct this HUGE mistake!

    • @suddhasheelghosh9299
      @suddhasheelghosh9299 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Lee, can I have those undulates for my draft please? Guy can never have enough

    • @BarbersBooks
      @BarbersBooks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      On second thoughts, if it gets my book added to Merphy’s spreadsheet and even possibly mentioned in one of her videos, I might just drop a few more in there…

  • @IamMeHere2See
    @IamMeHere2See 3 ปีที่แล้ว +90

    Merphy: "This word is never used."
    Me: "Well, I bet I use it!"
    Merphy: "The word is undulate."
    Me: ... "Okay, you're right, I never use that word."
    I believe the whole point of this word is that conveys a sense of unease & discomfort, like the word "moist."

    • @britneynicole8903
      @britneynicole8903 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I hate the word “moist”

    • @flying-sheep
      @flying-sheep ปีที่แล้ว

      I think if you want to describe an organ or a mollusk or an alien resembling one of the two, it’s perfect. If they don’t “beat” or “throb”, they undulate.

    • @IamMeHere2See
      @IamMeHere2See ปีที่แล้ว

      @@flying-sheep "My heart undulates blood from chamber to chamber."

  • @geekweek9673
    @geekweek9673 3 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    I had no idea how you spelled undulate, so I looked up ungulate, and was so confused about hoofed mammals.

  • @aaronemerson8049
    @aaronemerson8049 3 ปีที่แล้ว +319

    “We undulated against each other”
    😂😂

    • @hell_crow9023
      @hell_crow9023 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      I honestly cringed when i heard it😂

    • @MagusMarquillin
      @MagusMarquillin 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      It's honestly pretty hot - in an invertebrate primordial ooze kinda way.

    • @andyaquitaine4225
      @andyaquitaine4225 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I died laughing

    • @hhoi8225
      @hhoi8225 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Gaaah get this out of my brain forever

    • @none_i5316
      @none_i5316 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      ULTRA CRINGE

  • @jenniparks8539
    @jenniparks8539 3 ปีที่แล้ว +127

    I love that Brandon Sanderson is one of the biggest culprits lol

    • @wingracer1614
      @wingracer1614 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      While searching through my ebooks, I believe Neal Stephenson is an even bigger culprit. It appears in Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon and Seveneves. I don't have ebook copies of Zodiak, Anathem or reamde or any others at the moment so can't check them. I have Anathem in print right in front of me but that's a BIG book to go through, LOL

    • @wingracer1614
      @wingracer1614 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I take it back. Lynn posted the spreadsheet and Brando Mando Sando is definitely the biggest culprit so far. Leigh Bardugo is giving him a run for his money though.

    • @wingracer1614
      @wingracer1614 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Update. Lynn has posted 11 Sanderson novels with undulate in them but I just sent her the 11 I found from Iain M Banks so we have a tie for the crown. Come on Brando Mando Sando, you need an undulate in Wax and Wayne 4 to take the title.
      On another note, Jules Verne reigns supreme in overuse. It appears 19 times in 20000 Leagues Under the Sea. And Madeline L' Engle gets a prize for using it twice in ONE SENTENCE!
      Honorable Mention to Frank Herbert for using the rare form "undulant."

    • @genmea
      @genmea 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      According to my Kindle Sanderson used the word "undulating" 8 times in Rythm of War.
      Plus 7 times in Oathbringer

    • @genmea
      @genmea 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      R. F. Kuang is also a fan of the word. It present 7 times in the Poppy War and 5 in the Dragon Republic. I don't have the Burning God but I'm pretty sure it will be equally prominent. 😂

  • @hopelessjoe9519
    @hopelessjoe9519 3 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    I am a aspiring author with a simple dream of putting the stories in my head into a physical book for all of the world to read and be entertained by. However, I now have another dream, and that dream is to fill one of the paragraphs in my future books with as many undulate/undulating as I possibly can so that one day the great Merphy could read it and roll her eyes for eternity.

  • @lies7253
    @lies7253 3 ปีที่แล้ว +161

    "Nobody uses this word in real life, don't argue with me"
    Me, a non-english speaker: nope, I indeed probably never use it

    • @JesusFreak98
      @JesusFreak98 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Where u from? Brazil here

    • @lies7253
      @lies7253 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@JesusFreak98 Belgium for me

    • @user-nb7gp4fk7j
      @user-nb7gp4fk7j 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      As a non-native English speaker I personally enjoy using some fancy lovecraftean words in my speech, so the video just give me an undulating idea 😅

    • @noone9472
      @noone9472 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@lies7253 come on! We have it in French! Ondulé! Haha

    • @lies7253
      @lies7253 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@noone9472 I am from Flanders, so I speak Dutch :) But I just learnt that we, in fact, also have a Dutch word for it: "unduleren". I have literally never in my life heard that word before

  • @jimmycryz
    @jimmycryz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +248

    "Our arms undulated against each other"
    Ma'am this is a Wendy's.

    • @alittleantidote5852
      @alittleantidote5852 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I have never come across a comment on TH-cam that screams Reddit so much 🤣🤣

    • @azulBjort_1406
      @azulBjort_1406 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      😂😂😂😂😂

  • @spinnerling
    @spinnerling 3 ปีที่แล้ว +190

    PETITION for Daniel Greene to include it in his next novella!

    • @merphynapier42
      @merphynapier42  3 ปีที่แล้ว +142

      ... it’s in Breach of Peace lol

    • @mordyth
      @mordyth 3 ปีที่แล้ว +46

      Petition for Daniel Greene to use undulation in the title of his next novella...

    • @oliverdemille7953
      @oliverdemille7953 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      About half way through chapter 5. He at least uses it to describe a liquid in motion, not a sex act.

    • @captain4318
      @captain4318 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@merphynapier42 This is hilarious lmao

  • @Torsin2000
    @Torsin2000 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    "I reject your reality and substitute my own." Undulate is one of the words that looks better written down and read than spoken,

  • @vortexofweird
    @vortexofweird 3 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    I would like to add that “blinking owlishly” is a pet peeve of mine.

    • @emma-janeulmer438
      @emma-janeulmer438 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Every time I read that description I end up trying to imitate what that blink would be like

    • @josheike3543
      @josheike3543 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Only characters with nictitating membranes should blink owlishly

    • @cinthiagoch
      @cinthiagoch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I always imagine them blinking one eye at a time, like Pixar's characters, but very slowly. That's some ugly way to blink.

    • @mattward4916
      @mattward4916 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Undulating owlishly

    • @fransgreidanus5678
      @fransgreidanus5678 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hahaha, the first things I connect to ‚blinking owlishly‘ is Debby Ryan playing Radio Rebel

  • @MKTraxel
    @MKTraxel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    Cory's music choice making this feel like a carnival sideshow. 😂

  • @SomaKitsune
    @SomaKitsune 3 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    Publisher: Does it have the word "undulate" in it?
    Hopeful author: Yes.
    Publisher: DEAL!!

  • @savannah4439
    @savannah4439 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    If it helps, the word “undulate” has come up several times for me in school...I’m a medical student...we usually talk about undulating fevers 😂

  • @braininvasion8192
    @braininvasion8192 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    That's how I felt reading "unclosed" all the time in Jane Eyre. Jane unclosed the door. Jane unclosed the curtains. Just say opened already! Jeez! Thankfully, I've only seen the Bronte's use this word. It's so stupid.

  • @ender1077
    @ender1077 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    This feels like when your friend quietly points out to you the person in room that is chewing too loudly, and now it bothers you now too.

  • @gunveersingh5893
    @gunveersingh5893 3 ปีที่แล้ว +94

    Unnecessary rants are the best kinds

  • @laurayorke3752
    @laurayorke3752 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    "So I have a spreadsheet." I knew you were one of my favorite booktubers for a reason. Also this is 100% a necessary rant. Big agree. no one likes undulating.

  • @Verdictus13
    @Verdictus13 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    "They undulated together, as the ship's sails undulated in the storm, undulating them back and forth in time with the undulations of the sea." Couldn't fit more undulates without this turning into a cosmic horror short story.

  • @henrygardner3742
    @henrygardner3742 3 ปีที่แล้ว +129

    The word ‘undulations’ is used frequently in golf. Specifically when talking about the up and down slopes on a green, and you have to judge your putt taking the undulations into account. So sorry, Merph, but it is a word used in real life...at least it is on the golf course

    • @jakerockznoodles
      @jakerockznoodles 3 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      To be fair, its appropriate use is generally in the description of things like moving water or certain kinds of landscapes. A lot of its use in fiction, on the other hand, is simply bizarre.

    • @sen7826
      @sen7826 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@connorrhunter you sir have made a remarkable observation.

    • @nathanmundy5629
      @nathanmundy5629 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah I was about to say, the only time I've heard undulate in real life is in relation to reading putts on greens while golfing.

    • @jonathanshephard946
      @jonathanshephard946 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I came here to say this haha, does feel appropriate just for a golf course :)

    • @readingwithrebeccanicole
      @readingwithrebeccanicole 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I was going to say this too! I've heard it most in disc golf, which borrows a lot of terminology from golf

  • @akellerhouse83
    @akellerhouse83 3 ปีที่แล้ว +112

    Undulate is definitely a word used in fiction often. I also think the word "flesh" is used too frequently, especially in YA books.

    • @Kk-fj5tn
      @Kk-fj5tn 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      YESSS!!!!!!!! It also seems to also be used in a sexual context and to reference other creatures that eat humans...That connection feels like a weird one to make...
      Like "The beast eats human flesh" and them later it will refer to a character swooning over another...
      WHY THIS LINK 😭😭😭😭 WHY???

  • @BreakingStubad
    @BreakingStubad 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    All I could think of was that scene in “10 things I hate about you” where the guidance counsellor is writing her book

  • @joshramirez7
    @joshramirez7 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    This is amazing. Guaranteed this makes its way to Sanderson somehow, and he will take note haha

  • @TheElf33
    @TheElf33 3 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    I’ve now heard this word so many times in a row now that it doesn’t even sound like a real word any more. 😂

  • @NovelistAnne
    @NovelistAnne 3 ปีที่แล้ว +88

    This word is so cursed, it even pops up in my head now when I'm describing things in my own books. It's like a virus authors get infected with and all of a sudden EVERYTHING UNDULATES.

    • @graydanger
      @graydanger 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      This feel very Junji Ito-like for my mental health D:

    • @dwightalexander2648
      @dwightalexander2648 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wait, how come your comment was 2 days ago, when the video was only uploaded an hour ago?

    • @august1837
      @august1837 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@dwightalexander2648 I think patrons get early access

    • @NovelistAnne
      @NovelistAnne 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@dwightalexander2648 tier 2 patrons get early access, a link to the video a few days before it goes public.

  • @kathrynehiersche1817
    @kathrynehiersche1817 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I absolutely adore how often Brandon Sanderson uses it, just because halarious.

  • @jaredgrace5003
    @jaredgrace5003 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    As a Spanish speaker this word isn't weird at all

    • @heybearnation
      @heybearnation 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yep
      Just what I was thinking

    • @claireyang5569
      @claireyang5569 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      In French too, it's used quite a lot...

    • @francescasalvatore2299
      @francescasalvatore2299 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Even in Italian it doesn't seem weird at all, I think we use it quite a lot

  • @KachellZ
    @KachellZ 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I'm going to start looking for ways to use the word undulate in my daily conversations now.

  • @jamesbaird1342
    @jamesbaird1342 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Things move in and out of fashion, sort of up and down, kind of in waves. I wish there was a word to describe this.

  • @dailycarolina.
    @dailycarolina. 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    This the kind of word that is on a TOEFL exam.
    For those who don't know, it is a test we non-native English speakers take when we want to know our level of proficiency.

  • @lindsaymorrison7519
    @lindsaymorrison7519 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Part of me: you're totally right.
    Other part of me: now I want to add it to my book.
    I mean... Is there a good synonym for it though? Surely "rising and falling" will sound cumbersome occasionally

    • @couldntcareless7884
      @couldntcareless7884 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It’s two years late, but oscillating?

  • @lizzieware4521
    @lizzieware4521 3 ปีที่แล้ว +62

    My most favourite spreadsheet i ever made!

  • @pemryjanes5789
    @pemryjanes5789 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I just used that word in the story I'm writing right now. Like, an hour ago.
    In my defense, I don't have a woman undulate. It's the surface of an alley.

  • @morganeua
    @morganeua 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    The first time I heard the word "undulate" was in my second year acting class when our acting prof would use body undulations as a warm up. It was very strange. So I also always notice this word! :P

  • @LuchaJohnny
    @LuchaJohnny 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    I was sure that this was going to be about "preternatural". It seems that at some point authors decided "supernatural" just wasn't good enough anymore.

  • @Lynn-CA
    @Lynn-CA 3 ปีที่แล้ว +122

    PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
    Please feel free to add your UNDULATE SPOTTINGS to our spreadsheet by replying to this comment.
    (Spreadsheet can be found at docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UkwXe07A8ZjIAbAM5E1ra9pDm8j6KQyHSQ98zUCyPZw/edit?usp=sharing )
    Thank you and have a nice day.

    • @saadamansayyed
      @saadamansayyed 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Marie Perez was an undulating young girl. Her walk was undulating. - my own book, Marie Perez and The Tabloid Expose by Saad Aman 😂

    • @leonmayne797
      @leonmayne797 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@saadamansayyed How could you.

    • @saadamansayyed
      @saadamansayyed 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@leonmayne797 How could I, I thought, as thoughts flew in an undulating motion in my brain.

    • @hcstubbs3290
      @hcstubbs3290 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I know there was one in the first bit of the first witcher book - but I put that down to poor translation.
      There was also one in the lies of locke lamora. The classic undulating shark.

    • @acro1427
      @acro1427 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Dan Brown, Angels and Demons
      Although he knew the globule was microscopic, he could see every changing gorge and undulation as the ball of plasma rolled slowly in suspension.

  • @nairadoctor9040
    @nairadoctor9040 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I have noticed "undulating" in books but I never thought to look up the meaning and after this video I assure you it's going to haunt me. Thanks for that Merf.

  • @normalzman661
    @normalzman661 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Merphy: Reads an example of undulate in the sentences
    Me: New fear unlocked

  • @sanneamalia
    @sanneamalia 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The only time I've ever heard the word 'undulate' is when my swim coach was teaching dolphin kick. Which is also the only time when it should be used.

  • @scythe9734
    @scythe9734 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Why Merhp WHY!!!!??? Now it's everywhere and I can't unsee it 😭😭😭

  • @corrinflakes9659
    @corrinflakes9659 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    When I heard about "wavy edges" in undulating's definition. I thought it was related to lasagna pasta.

  • @elrilmoonweaver4723
    @elrilmoonweaver4723 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    *laughs in "I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding"*

  • @nathanmundy5629
    @nathanmundy5629 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Undulate is used often in golf, when reading the "undulations" of a green to try to determine where to aim your putt.

  • @peehurasotra9498
    @peehurasotra9498 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    the rant was so undulating, I'm undulated, thank you, my heart undulates for you from the bottom of my heart

  • @Greendalewitch
    @Greendalewitch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    Merphy makes a rangt about a word no one uses
    Also Merphy at 3:47 "My Golly"
    Lol

    • @marcelbeaudoin3886
      @marcelbeaudoin3886 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Also “Dagum”

    • @danielle3308
      @danielle3308 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I thought this was common lol. Maybe it's just a southern thing because I hear both words all the time😂

  • @iyamwhatiyam2748
    @iyamwhatiyam2748 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I feel your pain. When I was in consulting, people used the word “utilize” in a very similar way, and I felt much the same about it as you do about this one. It was like they were saying, “See! I used the word, I belong.” It felt so fake. It does make me wonder if there are similarly misused words in other genres, I’ll bet you self-help would be a mine field of such words.

    • @user-K8T
      @user-K8T 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I review a lot of technical reports at work and people LOVE to switch utilize for use. And, yeah, they mean the same thing, but using it always smacks of "I'm smart and you can tell because I use bigger words instead of smaller more common ones." And there is a time and place. If you have been using "use" a lot and need to break it up a touch, sure. But "use" is like "said," practically invisible to a reader and you shouldn't just throw it out because it's too "common."

  • @TheMovieSequelDude49
    @TheMovieSequelDude49 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    You do realize this rant will only increase "undulate"'s power as a word, right?

  • @jorinschepers2376
    @jorinschepers2376 3 ปีที่แล้ว +82

    Not gonna lie I mostly knew about this word from r/menwritingwomen and I think that says all we need to know about what the word is often used for lmao.

    • @jakerockznoodles
      @jakerockznoodles 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      In most of these examples it doesn't even make sense in context and actually confuses the mental image of what's being described 😕 (at least in my head).
      I feel like many of these could be replaced with far more appropriate descriptors. Like the "undulating floor" that makes people fall over? Surely a shaking, rattling or even shuddering floorspace would be more likely to make one fall than the smooth motion "undulating" implies?

    • @toxicsugarart2103
      @toxicsugarart2103 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Oh boy

    • @marocat4749
      @marocat4749 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The only use in sexual act should be about shapeshifting, fluids or tentacles.

    • @wingracer1614
      @wingracer1614 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I don't know. I posted six examples I found of the word appearing in my ebook collection. Three were written by men, three by women and non referred to sex.

    • @savethefantasticfour292
      @savethefantasticfour292 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@jakerockznoodles although thinking of an undulating floor is wierd, as a California native I have seen the ground undulate in earthquakes and yes it will make you fall over. I think that is the kind of thing he was going for.

  • @matheusvmoraes
    @matheusvmoraes 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    One thing for sure happened to me, by reading (especially) a lot of fantasy, was the increase of my vocabulary.

  • @amywebb1455
    @amywebb1455 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    this is hilarious!! thanks Merphy. gonna keep an eye out for it now in Sandersons work. Thanks for all your videos.

  • @YourBrainonBooks
    @YourBrainonBooks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    During that build up I thought for sure you would say “click their tongue” literally in every fantasy book and it gets an eye roll from me every time

  • @UdyKumra
    @UdyKumra 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    The little comments on the Dresden Files ones were so perfect

  • @DrMetalpin
    @DrMetalpin 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    I’ve had a life in science. I’ve heard the word way more than just in genre books. :)

    • @madel005
      @madel005 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I was thinking the same, in physiology there is a lot of undulation going on :p

  • @sxwriter8569
    @sxwriter8569 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I’m learning so much about writing and new words. Thank you Merphy!

  • @JKWuco
    @JKWuco 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    You know, going into this I worried it would make me feel self-conscious about the book I'm working on getting ready to publish. Instead, it just made me want to go back and add undulate to it a lot.

  • @litlbucky
    @litlbucky 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Amazing video!!! Sanderson is the master of Undulating- see spreadsheet and all the occurrences in Oathbringer as example- 5 times in 1 scene!!!!

    • @wingracer1614
      @wingracer1614 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      He can't compare to Peter F Hamilton, the king of undulations.

  • @Danielle-vl5zn
    @Danielle-vl5zn 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    There’s an ‘undulating’ on page 202 of Ruin and Rising

  • @alexanderking-grey7385
    @alexanderking-grey7385 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Whenever "the word that must be used" comes up in a book, I've always felt like it was the author trying too hard to sound poetic or smart. I have to say though I appreciated how you commented on how editors could force authors to use such words.

    • @FlyingFocs
      @FlyingFocs 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      This was advice my creative writing,teacher once gave: "It's good, but it comes off too much like 'I know words.'"

  • @bim41337
    @bim41337 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Now I'm really kinda interested in a part two to this video ... the story of how Merphy The Book-Keeper came to despise the word Undulate with the whole of her ever-gentle heart.

  • @armanisar-feinial1789
    @armanisar-feinial1789 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks for the new word! I can't wait to use it in my writing!
    Especially to describe body movements and walls!
    My blankets undulate my soft bed.

  • @annatattersall249
    @annatattersall249 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    Same feelings about the word “cacophony”.

    • @azh698
      @azh698 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Come to Greece, we use it here.

    • @judyjude
      @judyjude 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@azh698 same in norway. maybe not common, but used.

    • @keithedwinsmith9416
      @keithedwinsmith9416 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      You’re going to read the phrase “… undulating cacophony…” somewhere now!🙀

    • @judyjude
      @judyjude 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@keithedwinsmith9416 in norway, budgies is called undulat/undulater. From latin Melopsittacus undulatus. So when I hear the word undulate I thought about birds/sound. A undulating cacophony would make sense in my mind 😂

    • @DonGass
      @DonGass 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Don't read Seven Blades in Black by Sam Sykes then. The main character is Sal the Cacophony. :)

  • @ashlynhale3369
    @ashlynhale3369 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Omg I literally have been noticing this the past couple months and I am so happy I am not the only one! It is not a pretty word and is often used when it is not essential! I love the spreadsheet haha 😂

  • @godhathirumalaianandanpill3140
    @godhathirumalaianandanpill3140 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Everybody: Talking about the actual video
    Me: her water bottle has an Eleventh Doctor quote

  • @djhokasha7410
    @djhokasha7410 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    My eyes were closed to this. My god, you have made me feel cold everytime I hear that word.

  • @nightbreed9305
    @nightbreed9305 3 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    To be fair, most of the cool words are not used in most social circles, unfortunately. How many people do you see use the term "effulgence" when describing how brilliant a ray of light is?

    • @wingracer1614
      @wingracer1614 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Esoteric and eclectic are two words I find myself occasionally using in conversation and it often catches the people I'm talking to off guard.

    • @august1837
      @august1837 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Well, how many people do you hear describing a ray of light to begin with

    • @DneilB007
      @DneilB007 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@august1837 my plants occasionally describe rays of light, but usually only in terms of flavour. Green is apparently salty.

    • @involunteer
      @involunteer 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      E. E. "Doc" Smith was fond of effulgent and several other esoteric words. He introduced me to "yclept" and "coruscate".

    • @wingracer1614
      @wingracer1614 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@involunteer I like coruscate.

  • @WinstonHunt
    @WinstonHunt 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I'm putting the word in every chapter.
    It's beautiful.
    I love how you undulate under in it's presences.

  • @ananyapandey4876
    @ananyapandey4876 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I never knew this word existed.
    I can't unsee it now

  • @heidijsiebert
    @heidijsiebert 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    *Never has thought to use the word 'undulate' in my stories because I don't particularly like it either* ... So glad we're on the same page XD

  • @AwkwardFaceHugger
    @AwkwardFaceHugger 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    "... you're gonna start noticing now."
    Yes. Thanks, I hate it... :D

  • @rozakareem1753
    @rozakareem1753 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    10:46 Phoebe Buffay I never knew you started a TH-cam channel 😂😂😂

  • @raerae22781
    @raerae22781 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love your mug at the end of your video! It's my favorite Doctor Who quote! 😍

  • @Mojjs92
    @Mojjs92 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    I laughed the whole way through this video 😂

  • @TheNerdyNarrative
    @TheNerdyNarrative 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Bahahahahahahahahahahha - YES IT IS LITERALLY IN EVERY HORROR/THRILLER
    I’m dead 😂😂😂😂

  • @casualcascade
    @casualcascade 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I am now determined to use this word once per book, and if Merphy ever happens to read any of them... she'll know what she's done.

  • @alexanderking-grey7385
    @alexanderking-grey7385 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Love what do on this channel. I can't wait to read some of the books you've recommended in some of your previous videos.

  • @revjoe250
    @revjoe250 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I'm gonna start finding a place for "undulate" in every book I write now.

  • @rcp7
    @rcp7 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    Merphy: i hate the word undulate.
    says Merph, wearing the i like to undulate shirt. she likes irony.

    • @anwenm
      @anwenm 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Nah I bet it’s one of those shirts that doesn’t need irony-ing. I’ll show myself out.

  • @gordonhunt5967
    @gordonhunt5967 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The song at the end!🤣🤣🤣 Seriously, this video made me smile.

  • @ryangraham2132
    @ryangraham2132 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    My hate word in books is "pads."
    "She pads across the room."
    "He pads upstairs."
    Some people pad through entire books! There are other words, people. Get a thesaurus!

    • @Cherri_Stars
      @Cherri_Stars 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      This is my hated word too!!! No one has ever used it out loud like that.

    • @rchm3ga254
      @rchm3ga254 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      .