"A neat sounding word, huh," said senior Colin Kikuchi, "well let me think… that is kind of tough to think of." When confronted with the task of recalling the most interesting sounding word he had ever heard, Kikuchi was dumbfounded. 

"Snazzlepoofing," he finally said, "I think that was the word that meant farting in the BFG by Roald Dahl."

Using words such as snazzlepoofing can add spice to daily life and help expand one’s vocabulary immensely. However, upon reading most works of literature, either a novel or a magazine or newspaper article, it becomes apparent that all too many authors fail to interest due to their dependence on monotonous words. Dictionaries are filled with words upon words that most folk, except for spelling bee champions or english teachers, have probably never heard. 

"I’ve always liked the word ‘effervescent’," said English teacher Michael Hoover.

Hoover was not the only english guru to contribute. When confronted with the inquiry, Dr. Al DeFazio added, "phantasmagorical"

I won’t even begin to explain the importance of being phantasmagorical, much less the value of including it in an essay or a speech. Nonetheless, it is a breaktaking word, not only because it sounds strange but also because it contains six syllables! 

When asked about interesting, strange or particularly long words, many Mason students and teachers had plenty to say.

"I’d have to say humdinger is the strangest word I’ve ever heard," said junior Robby Healy.

"Loomis," said senior Dean Corbino.

"Hmm… googleplex," said sophomore Laura Straub, "I am sure that is a real word!"

"One of my favorite words came from the Nixon Administration—that word is effete," said IB meister Brian Dickson.

Other students took the opportunity to loomis their favorite words.

"The worst words out there are the ones that old ladies would use, like malarkey or doohickey," said senior David Lowe.

Sophomore Peter Illiev, Jr. added the word "jive" to our list, explaining to us that words in his native Bulgarian were all boring.

When questioned, freshman Tim Quintyn rattled off some Flemish. "Dobblesteentje," said Quintyn, who added to our list in genuine Belgian style.

The next time you sit before a keyboard with a long assignment that lends itself to a massive vocabulary, dig down deep into your mind and think of the greatest, most peculiar words you have ever heard. Adding words such as "plethora", as Derek Orban suggested, or "swanky" as did Sarah Michalski could be of a great help. They may even be the difference between a D- and an F!