Dictionary.com Word of the Day
Sunday November 25, 2012
amygdaliform \uh-MIG-duh-luh-fawrm, adjective:
Shaped like an almond.
Amygdaliform derives from the Greek amygdale, “almond.” -form is the common suffix denoting “in the shape of.” A portion of the human brain is known as the amygdala, named for its resemblance to almonds.
WTF?! Pardon my abbreviation, but I’m gob-smacked. I love words; I like to learn new words. I like to use the new words I learn. That’s why I have Dictionary.com’s Word of the Day on my home page. Most of the time the words are fairly ordinary, well-known words, but just occasionally they are new and useful. Fun, even. I particularly enjoy the quirky ones–they’re the most fun to use. But can anyone tell me why Dictionary.com would think that the above entry would be a useful word for all of us word-afficianados to know?
I, of course, can think of dozens of sentences using “amygdaliform.” Okay, I can only think of one, and that was it. So what, pray tell, is the point? To use the more natural phrase, ‘almond-shaped’ is exactly the same number of letters (not counting the hyphen). Be honest now–if someone used amygdaliform in normal conversation or writing, wouldn’t you think “What a berk. He’s just showing off.” Of course you would.
I understand that there may be some sort of professional application for such a word, but I’m not quite sure what profession that would involve. Perhaps weird furniture designers (or, indeed, designers of weird furniture) would use it. Or boutique candy-makers. I can see the ads now:
Try our wonderful new amygdaliform bonbons–filled with marzipan and raspberry
or
The latest in Bed Design–amygdaliform mattresses!
Well, maybe not… But I’m sure you get my point. It’s not a word I’ll be using any time soon. MM
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It’s certainly not a word I could ever drop casually into conversation as I can’t work out how to pronounce it.
Don’t worry. Who would know if you mispronounced it?
Hah! TTYL: Talk to you later! Sorry, I get so used to writing that way in phone texts.
At least it netted you a funny post!
Well, there is that about it! Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be seeing you at your ‘place’ too! Cheers!
You’re welcome–love your blog. OK, TTYL!
Am looking forward to reading more of your blog–I love your facility with the language–very evocative.
But I give up — What does TTYL mean ?
I think I owned an Amygdaliform bra once… or was that Maidenform?
Both, perhaps? lol
Perhaps the medical profession?
LOL
Well… It’s a handy word for a novel variation on the old ‘peanut head’ taunt. It could also be useful for punning. It’s a word. Cherish it. Just because someone uses a word of uncommon use doesn’t make them a Burke – it just means that they have used a word of uncommon usage. The WHY of their having used it is entirely situational (okay, yes, I admit it… I use uncommonly used words… But somebody has to). 🙂
Indeed. And I can always rely on you to be the somebody. Okay, you’ve set yourself up, so I have to follow-up. We’re all waiting for you to make a pun out of amygdaliform…