Dr. Robert Beard, also known as Dr. Goodword at alphadictionary.com, recently published the 100 Funniest Words In English based on their pronunciation, usage, history and meaning. Not only does he define the words but offers several creative examples of usage. This is a fantastic book for high school students preparing for college admissions. It can help them to appreciate language, prepare them for the odd words that could appear on the SAT/ACT and give them great words to work into their college and scholarship essays. Here are some of my favorites.

Follow up:

A creative writing professor once stressed the use of dated, but well known words in storytelling to set a mood without having to use a multitude of adjectives. He used the example of barcalounger...here are some from Dr. Beard's list.

• Blunderbuss - a gun with a flared muzzle
• Bowyang - a strap that holds the pants legs in place
• Brouhaha - an uproar
• Bumbershoot - umbrella (my mom still calls umbrellas bumbershoots)
• Collywobbles - butterflies in the stomach
• Furbelow - a fringe or ruffle
• Goombah - an older friend who protects you
• Hoosegow - a jail or prison
• Mugwump - an independent politician who does not follow any party
• Snickersnee - long knife

Some fantastic adjectives...

• Anencephalous - lacking a brain
• Callipygian - having an attractive rear end or nice buns
• Cantankerous - testy, grumpy
• Cockamamie - absurd, outlandish

Fun verbs...

• Bloviate - to speak pompously or brag
• Flummox - to exasperate

and...my favorites

• Borborygm - a rumbling of the stomach
• Crapulence - discomfort from eating or drinking too much
• Formication - the sense of ants crawling on your skin
• Sialoquent - spitting while speaking
• Wabbit - exhausted, tired, worn out