Readers Sound Off on Words that Sound Off by Rob Kyff on Creators.com

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Readers Sound Off on Words that Sound Off

The naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of its sound ("buzz," "splash," "zap") is called "onomatopoeia." Last summer I asked readers to invent a general term for "UN-onomatopoeia" — words that sound like the OPPOSITE of what they mean. As an example, I cited "pulchritude," an ugly-sounding word that means "beauty," and asked readers for other words with similar incongruities.

During September and October, the e-mails and letters floated in like autumn leaves, and now it's time to reap the harvest.

The overwhelming favorite for a general term was "nonomatopoeia." Todd Rosenthal of West Hartford, Conn., the first to propose it, was soon joined by Neal Burdick of Canton, N.Y., Mike Kusznir of New Britain, Conn., Sharon Lucas of Grand Lake, Colo., and Dan Olson of Sioux Falls, S.D.

Other suggestions came from: Bob Jewett of Three Mile Bay, N.Y. (oxyphonetic); Richard Boggs via e-mail (notomatopoeia); Deb Bozewicz of Milwaukee (unomatopoeia, antionomatopoeia); John of San Diego (antinomatopoeia, otronomatopoeia, heteromatopoeia); Laura Holleran of Newington, Conn. (onomalopoeia, sonomalopoeia); Susan Breitman of West Hartford, Conn. (audiomoron, definot, contrameaner, oppomeaner, pseudosounder); Lisa via e-mail (O-YES-matopoeia); and Curt Rasco via e-mail (sineomatopoeia).

My favorite coinage arrived from R.S. Matteson of Canton, N.Y.: "notalataopoeia." He provided the examples "scrumptious" ("not especially tasty"), "unguent" ("hardly soothing") and "aplomb" ("downright oafish").

On the international front, Dale Provost of Germany e-mailed "antimatopoeia" and the examples "euthanasia" ("doesn't sound like mercy killing"), "diarrhea" ("a particularly pleasant-sounding word for a particularly unpleasant thing") and "treacle" ("sounds neither sweet nor lifesaving").

Peter Rush of Sri Lanka proposed "onomanomia" and the example "procrastinate," noting that "pro" usually indicates a positive action.

Barbie, an e-mailer and "nonomatopoeia" gal, cites "osculate" ("sounds like something disgusting"), while e-mailer J.D. tags "fulsome" and "inflammable." Gene Martin of Hannawa Falls, N.Y., cites "sublime" and "fecund" as examples of his term, "anonomatopoeia."

Bill Kraynak of Rocky Hill, Conn., rocks with "nonechoic" and the example "droll." "Shouldn't it mean 'somber,' 'sullen' or 'dour'?" he asks. E-mailers Randy Hermatz and Joe Fadler pitch "offomatopoeia" and "orally abstruse," respectively, while e-mailer Matt serves up "misclimatekyff," which sounds to me like "Matt's pulling my leg."

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Conn., invites your language sightings. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via e-mail to Wordguy@aol.com or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Rob Kyff and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.