Why are certain words so appealing?

Many words just sound beautiful coming out of one’s mouth. I personally like the word “clandestine”.

“Cellar door” moves the tongue around in the mouth in a pleasing way. There is a sibilant, and an “ell” then the mouth opens and then the tongue touches the back of the teeth, then the mouth opens again. it’s sensual.

I think “mellifluous” does a similar trick of the tongue. The tongue is pretty sensual.

Breast.

My favourite word, always on the tip of my tongue.

I like “elucidate” and “condemnation.”

Some words just sound better, their tones and pronunciations, and others just in the way they are used. And others are just fun to say in general (here’s looking at you, tintinnabulation).

While Juliet surely meant well when she said to Romeo, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” she might not have been very concerned about how marketable the flower was.

What if a rose were called a sniffastinkubutt?

Words and names are very important in marketing.

Too bad it isn’t as simple as comedian Mitch Hedberg portrayed it to be. “I want to get a job as someone who names kitchen appliances. Toaster, refrigerator, blender…all you do is say what it does and add ‘er.’ Hey, what does that do? It keeps shit fresh. Well that’s a fresher…I’m going on break.”

(Adapted from Arment Dietrich)