I like the word constellation, because, in the second grade, I was reading out something about space to the entire classroom when I misread the very big word and confidently said 'constipation' instead. It was very embarrassing, but now every time I look up at the stars, I can't help but remember and smile. Constellation is definitely (or indubitably :)) a very happy yellow-orange colour :)
😭 oh no what a tough break for you as a kid! but how fun that it can be a laughable moment for you now! I remember reading the word “intestines” out loud in like 5th grade… that’s the word I said, anyway. I don’t remember what the original word was supposed to be but it was definitely NOT intestines. Reading out loud can be a big risk!!
this might be a cliche but i think 1984 supports this argument too. language doesn't just let us communicate, it also allows us to conceptualise ideas in such an important way. in a society that does not know the words 'freedom', 'democracy', or 'lie', people are unable to engage with these thoughts and give them a verbal or visual representation in their minds, therefore freedom and democracy and lies cannot exist tangibly in their life. humans are creatures that need to acknowledge and label things. the larger your arsenal of words, the more you can satisfy that desire, the the deeper you can delve into your understanding of the world
Absolutely, terrific reference - cliches are cliche for a reason. Just saying “good” or “plusgood” doesn’t get the full spectrum of “amazing” and “fantastic” and “superb”.
Concidently I'm reading Word Power, Made Easy by Norman Lewis, in Chapter 13 he says "People with superior vocabularies, I have submitted, are the people with ideas. The words they know are verbal symbols of the ideas they are familiar with - reduce one and you must reduce the other, for ideas cannot exist without verbalization.", weird that youtube just recommended your video just right after I've read it. On this very book I learn the word "Callipygian", which I was surprised it existed, and it is definitely some sort of pink, maybe Fuchsia
That's interesting cause I think thoughts or not necessarily thought but ideas can kinda exist without verbalisation like if you distilled a thought to its most basic form it's a chemical reaction that causes a specific feeling to occur and this I have observed in cases of particularly difficult or maybe traumatizing ideas as you don't necessarily verbalize or even think about it like a mathematical problem trying to solve it more of just a constant feeling that gets stronger whenever the specific trigger is involved and fades from time to time
Love that quote! And then it takes a whole separate set of skills to communicate those ideas…and then to try and do it in a vocabulary that whoever you’re talking to also shares. Language is a miracle
This is a tangental point to your comment. The idea behind the quote is interesting, but a lot of the thoughts we think are unsymbolised thought, which may be hard to notice. I have come to learn that how much people symbolise their thoughts is individualistic. It has been really interesting to talk to people about how they think, because that is something you don't learn about unless people express it! I personally subvocalise (think in my head with words) plentily, but have known people who nearly don't at all, unless they must express something verbally or written. I was very surprised! This doesn't mean that there is not a correlation between amount of ideas and vocabulary (as suggested in the quote), but it is an interesting aspect to think about.
"You'll be able to express yourself with more and more accuracy, and enjoyment, and completeness, and I think you'll feel more and more understood." Well said - I like to feel understood and hate to feel misunderstood.
I was quite a lonely kid in middle school and kinda read almost the entirety of the kid's section in my local library. I remember a classmate always asking me what certain words i used meant, and they were not even that complicated. But because I was reading that much it was much more simple for me to express myself. When I started reading English books, especially British ones that helped me immensely in my understanding of the language structure and vocabulary.
I think most people (myself included!) think they know all of the “important” words, since they can talk and get around just fine. But reading absolutely makes me realize that just because I don’t need a certain word to stay alive, doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be really helpful for my thoughts and expressions! and yes for sure reading old British books (especially for me as an American) definitely can introduce some wild words to your vocabulary :)
'Aliquot' has to be a personal favourite - a portion of something. It's mainly used in the context of chemical analysis though! For me it's definitely got a light green colour :)
*My word is: "ideal."* I began using it regularly last year via my friend Ree. I like it because it helps clarify my preferences without my feeling like a jerk for having an opinion. *Example:* Them: "Hey Toby, I know we said 8pm, but I'd like to stay out surfing longer. Is that cool with you?" Me: "Oh sweet! I'm typically in bed by 10 these days, and I'd love to stick to that, so if you're able to do 8 that would be ideal. Otherwise we can reschedule for tomorrow?" Ideal's color is: Chartreuse (the not-quite-neon green kind)
I recently was recommended by TH-cam some videos on competitive Scrabble which lead me to read the book Word Freak by Stephan Fatsis that is all about high level scrabble and the people who play it (which I loved). The idea of studying word list is essentially what a lot of these men and women do to become better and better at scrabble. But they are not necessarily masters of language. The book even described how to some players they are not even words but just game pieces that can fit in certain orders and not in other orders. This just reminded me of that. Context is so crucial. So thanks for all of these wonderful words and check out Word Freak if it sounds interesting.
that’s so interesting! Scrabble runs deep in the DeMoss family and while I love it and it’s technically a word game, it really is more of a “make combinations and block the other player” type game! You do learn some fun words but they’re definitely divorced from context and it’s not as literary as it looks. Love the game still but it is super interesting to think about. Thanks for the book recommendation! Might be a good gift for some family members too :)
The word I chose is trust, my life was turned around once I understood what the word really meant. One question that prompted this was do you really trust someone if you don't regard any of their advice. While I was resistant to accepting this at first, once I did, everything changed. I think the color of trust is green, Green to me symbolizes animating energy for the body or mind. representing things that progresses, moves, cycles, rises, grows. For me a deep trust in something causes one to go out and do, to move I guess you could argue it is also reminiscent of gray, a deep trust cannot be moved like a hard rock or stone wall. or gray hair something that last and last through time. at least in this stage in my life I will say I have seen it reflect green more than gray.
Great video, as always. I learned the word "serendipity" in the book "Um defeito de cor" by Ana Maria Gonçalves, a very touching story that was also told by the school Portela at this year's Carnival in Brazil. I loved the meaning of the word and would give it the collor yellow.
When I read a Stephen King book, the word surreptitious stood out. I really like this crayon analogy. Aside from words, books also give you new ideas and analogies to express yourself. So many benefits to reading!
Recently I learned the word "panoply" from The Inheritance Cycle. I love the way it sounds and I feel quite fancy when I get to use it in everyday life. It is a lavender word.
I remember eating up those Christopher Paolini novels in high school! And the word panoply is such a fun word - it’s got that double p sound that reminds me of pitter-patter or other fun sounds
Oh… I have problems communicating what I think about. I tend to use very abstract words with very loose definitions based on what I know about or thought of some other idea… like I’ve called a refrigerator a freezer, and stuff like it. Like I knew it was called a refrigerator, but I thought freezer was interchangeable… yes English is the only language I speak, but I do need to brush up on stuff like this.
My word is "Incoherent" and it's because life's been a wrack of a train these days and I am unable to write anything in my journal and that just makes me frustrated..... Because my thoughts and communication or expression of my inner turmoil is really incoherent. Knowing this word is comforting in a sense that I can't explain in words.
So frustrating when you can’t say what you mean! Inexpressible…jumbled…sometimes I find that writing isn’t for when I know what I think, it’s to help me figure out what I think. So I guess best of luck as you keep trying to journal - I think it’ll be helpful!
A word I love using is the word apparently and whenever I get the chance to use it, I do. I always use this word as a signifier or to increase expression of an idea because I think it’s funny. If I learned a fact that someone’s birthday was this week, I wouldn’t go “did you know it was so-and-so’s birthday this week”, I would say “apparently, it’s their birthday this week.” I feel like this adds a little pizazz and spice to the conversation that otherwise wouldn’t be there because people would question why is it apparently if that is there birthday. I would respond just because it’s funny. Like using the word perchance. Apparently is also just a great one word response to other people instead of using yeah and it adds a little sarcastic flair to the convo. I’d probably classify “apparently” as a dark green, kinda mischievous/mysterious but overall a nice inviting color.
Love that! All I can think of when I hear the word “apparently” is Gru in Despicable Me when he’s asking for a loan from the Bank of Evil 😂 it’s comedic gold
Comeuppance: a deserved punishment or fate. It feels like a shade of dark gray. Not sure if I found it in The Stranger, The Poisonwood Bible, or some other third piece of media but I find it well-crafted.
When I was in 8th grade ( I should have been masters cleared by now, but couldn't), I watched The Dead Poet Society movie, which completely changed me, and the word "sonorous" is somehow stuck with me till now 😁. Thank you for your videos and your blog which I read and re-read whenever possible.
I love the word defenestration, I don't remember how I found it but it's always stuck with me because of it's meaning; it's the act of throwing someone out the window🙃. It's such a random and very old word. I'm not sure what colour it would be, maybe a red?
Recently learned the word impetuous while watching a video of the youtuber northern lion arguing with his twitch chat. Really funny context due to the dialogue. A chatter said, “Negativity is not the impetuous. You just like taking contrary views to others”. I’d say the word is a greenish neon yellow
petrichor - the smell of rain after it fell on the ground. always knew that there is word for that specific smell but could never keep it it mind UNTIL i read it in a book. ever since i can remember it ;) sums up your whole video ;) thanks for the work.
Oh this is SO cool. Looked it up and the origins of the word are so hardcore. Petra for rock, and ichor for the golden blood of the gods. Wow what a cool word
"jargeon", special or technical words that are used by a particular group of people in a particular profession - that other people (not belonging to the profession) do not understand. Why i like it? Sounds pretty cool. Color: probably fucking black, because it quite literally means unknown
"Snoot" - a person obsessed with words and grammar. The word was coined by David Foster Wallace in his conversation with Bryan Garner, 'Quack This Way'
I love this! Thank you! Your prompt question made me think of Hues and Cues, which, if you haven't played it yet, I recommend :) The word I learned this year was perturbed. Not a favorite word, but I like how it sounds and the feeling I get in my body. The color I would visualize is a a dark purple grey> #38303a Color Hex
I saw Hues and Cues in a Barnes and Noble but didn’t get it - thanks for the recommendation! Perturbed is a fun word to say - the double ur sound makes it feel like a really round word.
I like the word constellation, because, in the second grade, I was reading out something about space to the entire classroom when I misread the very big word and confidently said 'constipation' instead. It was very embarrassing, but now every time I look up at the stars, I can't help but remember and smile.
Constellation is definitely (or indubitably :)) a very happy yellow-orange colour :)
😭 oh no what a tough break for you as a kid! but how fun that it can be a laughable moment for you now! I remember reading the word “intestines” out loud in like 5th grade… that’s the word I said, anyway. I don’t remember what the original word was supposed to be but it was definitely NOT intestines. Reading out loud can be a big risk!!
I love the word esoteric! (I even used it in a poem I wrote once.) It’s so much better than just saying very specific, and I think it’s periwinkle.
esoteric is a word I don’t think I’ve ever used, but I might now! Thanks for watching!
this might be a cliche but i think 1984 supports this argument too. language doesn't just let us communicate, it also allows us to conceptualise ideas in such an important way. in a society that does not know the words 'freedom', 'democracy', or 'lie', people are unable to engage with these thoughts and give them a verbal or visual representation in their minds, therefore freedom and democracy and lies cannot exist tangibly in their life.
humans are creatures that need to acknowledge and label things. the larger your arsenal of words, the more you can satisfy that desire, the the deeper you can delve into your understanding of the world
Absolutely, terrific reference - cliches are cliche for a reason. Just saying “good” or “plusgood” doesn’t get the full spectrum of “amazing” and “fantastic” and “superb”.
Concidently I'm reading Word Power, Made Easy by Norman Lewis, in Chapter 13 he says "People with superior vocabularies, I have submitted, are the people with ideas. The words they know are verbal symbols of the ideas they are familiar with - reduce one and you must reduce the other, for ideas cannot exist without verbalization.", weird that youtube just recommended your video just right after I've read it. On this very book I learn the word "Callipygian", which I was surprised it existed, and it is definitely some sort of pink, maybe Fuchsia
That's interesting cause I think thoughts or not necessarily thought but ideas can kinda exist without verbalisation like if you distilled a thought to its most basic form it's a chemical reaction that causes a specific feeling to occur and this I have observed in cases of particularly difficult or maybe traumatizing ideas as you don't necessarily verbalize or even think about it like a mathematical problem trying to solve it more of just a constant feeling that gets stronger whenever the specific trigger is involved and fades from time to time
Love that quote! And then it takes a whole separate set of skills to communicate those ideas…and then to try and do it in a vocabulary that whoever you’re talking to also shares. Language is a miracle
This is a tangental point to your comment. The idea behind the quote is interesting, but a lot of the thoughts we think are unsymbolised thought, which may be hard to notice. I have come to learn that how much people symbolise their thoughts is individualistic. It has been really interesting to talk to people about how they think, because that is something you don't learn about unless people express it! I personally subvocalise (think in my head with words) plentily, but have known people who nearly don't at all, unless they must express something verbally or written. I was very surprised! This doesn't mean that there is not a correlation between amount of ideas and vocabulary (as suggested in the quote), but it is an interesting aspect to think about.
"You'll be able to express yourself with more and more accuracy, and enjoyment, and completeness, and I think you'll feel more and more understood."
Well said - I like to feel understood and hate to feel misunderstood.
Isn’t it the worst feeling to be misunderstood? Hate it
I was quite a lonely kid in middle school and kinda read almost the entirety of the kid's section in my local library. I remember a classmate always asking me what certain words i used meant, and they were not even that complicated. But because I was reading that much it was much more simple for me to express myself. When I started reading English books, especially British ones that helped me immensely in my understanding of the language structure and vocabulary.
I think most people (myself included!) think they know all of the “important” words, since they can talk and get around just fine. But reading absolutely makes me realize that just because I don’t need a certain word to stay alive, doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be really helpful for my thoughts and expressions!
and yes for sure reading old British books (especially for me as an American) definitely can introduce some wild words to your vocabulary :)
"defenestration"... Enough said.
➡️🪟
I was about to say that
'Aliquot' has to be a personal favourite - a portion of something. It's mainly used in the context of chemical analysis though! For me it's definitely got a light green colour :)
Never heard of this one but now I have! Thank you!
*My word is: "ideal."*
I began using it regularly last year via my friend Ree. I like it because it helps clarify my preferences without my feeling like a jerk for having an opinion.
*Example:*
Them: "Hey Toby, I know we said 8pm, but I'd like to stay out surfing longer. Is that cool with you?"
Me: "Oh sweet! I'm typically in bed by 10 these days, and I'd love to stick to that, so if you're able to do 8 that would be ideal. Otherwise we can reschedule for tomorrow?"
Ideal's color is: Chartreuse (the not-quite-neon green kind)
“Ideal” stops looking like a real word the more I look at it … that ever happen to you?
@@timdemoss Same with "blood" for me
As a person who's been (attempting) to learn German, a lot of what's discussed in this video can be applied to learning a foreign language!
Oh I can totally see that! Great comparison
I recently was recommended by TH-cam some videos on competitive Scrabble which lead me to read the book Word Freak by Stephan Fatsis that is all about high level scrabble and the people who play it (which I loved).
The idea of studying word list is essentially what a lot of these men and women do to become better and better at scrabble. But they are not necessarily masters of language. The book even described how to some players they are not even words but just game pieces that can fit in certain orders and not in other orders. This just reminded me of that. Context is so crucial. So thanks for all of these wonderful words and check out Word Freak if it sounds interesting.
that’s so interesting! Scrabble runs deep in the DeMoss family and while I love it and it’s technically a word game, it really is more of a “make combinations and block the other player” type game! You do learn some fun words but they’re definitely divorced from context and it’s not as literary as it looks. Love the game still but it is super interesting to think about.
Thanks for the book recommendation! Might be a good gift for some family members too :)
The word I chose is trust, my life was turned around once I understood what the word really meant. One question that prompted this was do you really trust someone if you don't regard any of their advice. While I was resistant to accepting this at first, once I did, everything changed. I think the color of trust is green, Green to me symbolizes animating energy for the body or mind. representing things that progresses, moves, cycles, rises, grows. For me a deep trust in something causes one to go out and do, to move
I guess you could argue it is also reminiscent of gray, a deep trust cannot be moved like a hard rock or stone wall. or gray hair something that last and last through time. at least in this stage in my life I will say I have seen it reflect green more than gray.
trust does imply some level of "I'll do - or at least seriously consider - what you say" for sure. thanks for watching!
Great video, as always. I learned the word "serendipity" in the book "Um defeito de cor" by Ana Maria Gonçalves, a very touching story that was also told by the school Portela at this year's Carnival in Brazil. I loved the meaning of the word and would give it the collor yellow.
Terrific word! :) very yellow for sure
indolent (which i relearned recently), and a washed-out brown - like when you mix too many paint colors
great word
When I read a Stephen King book, the word surreptitious stood out. I really like this crayon analogy. Aside from words, books also give you new ideas and analogies to express yourself. So many benefits to reading!
Surreptitious is such a weird word the more I type it! I was looking it up earlier to see the definition and the root. Fun word!
Recently I learned the word "panoply" from The Inheritance Cycle. I love the way it sounds and I feel quite fancy when I get to use it in everyday life.
It is a lavender word.
I remember eating up those Christopher Paolini novels in high school! And the word panoply is such a fun word - it’s got that double p sound that reminds me of pitter-patter or other fun sounds
Oh… I have problems communicating what I think about. I tend to use very abstract words with very loose definitions based on what I know about or thought of some other idea… like I’ve called a refrigerator a freezer, and stuff like it. Like I knew it was called a refrigerator, but I thought freezer was interchangeable… yes English is the only language I speak, but I do need to brush up on stuff like this.
My word is "Incoherent" and it's because life's been a wrack of a train these days and I am unable to write anything in my journal and that just makes me frustrated..... Because my thoughts and communication or expression of my inner turmoil is really incoherent. Knowing this word is comforting in a sense that I can't explain in words.
So frustrating when you can’t say what you mean! Inexpressible…jumbled…sometimes I find that writing isn’t for when I know what I think, it’s to help me figure out what I think. So I guess best of luck as you keep trying to journal - I think it’ll be helpful!
My favorite word is melancholy, and I feel like it's a dull teal color, like sea foam in a storm.
what a great image!
I recently learned the words "assiduous" and "assiduity," after reading Jane Eyre. To me, they're a shade of blue-green.
A word I love using is the word apparently and whenever I get the chance to use it, I do. I always use this word as a signifier or to increase expression of an idea because I think it’s funny. If I learned a fact that someone’s birthday was this week, I wouldn’t go “did you know it was so-and-so’s birthday this week”, I would say “apparently, it’s their birthday this week.” I feel like this adds a little pizazz and spice to the conversation that otherwise wouldn’t be there because people would question why is it apparently if that is there birthday. I would respond just because it’s funny. Like using the word perchance. Apparently is also just a great one word response to other people instead of using yeah and it adds a little sarcastic flair to the convo. I’d probably classify “apparently” as a dark green, kinda mischievous/mysterious but overall a nice inviting color.
Love that! All I can think of when I hear the word “apparently” is Gru in Despicable Me when he’s asking for a loan from the Bank of Evil 😂 it’s comedic gold
I love this series so much
so happy to hear! :) thanks for watching!
About a year ago i came across the word Vainglorious thanks to Joe Abercrombie and it quickly became a favourite of mine
Such a cool word!!
I discovered the word “sanguine” while reading Wuthering Heights last winter. Fun word, definitely a rosey pink.
such a great word! and also, as I’ve found out, could literally mean the color blood-red - so you’re spot on too!
Comeuppance: a deserved punishment or fate.
It feels like a shade of dark gray.
Not sure if I found it in The Stranger, The Poisonwood Bible, or some other third piece of media but I find it well-crafted.
Comeuppance really has spice to it! Love it!
When I was in 8th grade ( I should have been masters cleared by now, but couldn't), I watched The Dead Poet Society movie, which completely changed me, and the word "sonorous" is somehow stuck with me till now 😁.
Thank you for your videos and your blog which I read and re-read whenever possible.
Sonorous! What a great word!
And thanks so much for watching and reading, I’m so glad you enjoy!
As a native German speaker, reading in German but especially English has increased my vocabulary tremendously
I believe it! sounds like a helpful tool for language learning - especially all the niche words that might not be in basic language-learning classes
yes. very good
I love the word defenestration, I don't remember how I found it but it's always stuck with me because of it's meaning; it's the act of throwing someone out the window🙃. It's such a random and very old word. I'm not sure what colour it would be, maybe a red?
Recently learned the word impetuous while watching a video of the youtuber northern lion arguing with his twitch chat. Really funny context due to the dialogue. A chatter said, “Negativity is not the impetuous. You just like taking contrary views to others”. I’d say the word is a greenish neon yellow
terrific word! seems greenish yellow to me for sure
This was a very week argument,
and I do love reading, mind you.
petrichor - the smell of rain after it fell on the ground. always knew that there is word for that specific smell but could never keep it it mind UNTIL i read it in a book. ever since i can remember it ;) sums up your whole video ;) thanks for the work.
Oh this is SO cool. Looked it up and the origins of the word are so hardcore. Petra for rock, and ichor for the golden blood of the gods. Wow what a cool word
I love your channel so much
Thank you for the encouragement :) I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
"jargeon", special or technical words that are used by a particular group of people in a particular profession - that other people (not belonging to the profession) do not understand. Why i like it? Sounds pretty cool. Color: probably fucking black, because it quite literally means unknown
Oh didn’t know that about the meaning! Great to know!
"Snoot" - a person obsessed with words and grammar.
The word was coined by David Foster Wallace in his conversation with Bryan Garner, 'Quack This Way'
A word about words. Seems appropriate!
Does the book need to be a fiction book when it comes to expanding your vocabulary
I’d say it could be anything! If it’s got words it works
"surreptitious" is a yellow word for me, like a marigold
Had to look it up to remind myself the exact definition. Great word
Dan Koe brought me here… thank you good sir! 🫡
what bid did he mention him in?
@@kaylajohnson1497 if I’m not mistaken, the title of the podcast is The Simple Reading Habit That Will Change Your Life.
@@kaylajohnson1497 In his letter, "Reading: Change Your Life With One Simple Habit"
Thanks so much for watching! :)
@@kaylajohnson1497 In his newsletter about reading
I love this! Thank you! Your prompt question made me think of Hues and Cues, which, if you haven't played it yet, I recommend :) The word I learned this year was perturbed. Not a favorite word, but I like how it sounds and the feeling I get in my body. The color I would visualize is a a dark purple grey> #38303a Color Hex
I saw Hues and Cues in a Barnes and Noble but didn’t get it - thanks for the recommendation! Perturbed is a fun word to say - the double ur sound makes it feel like a really round word.