Welcome to another exciting episode of Word Woman's Weekly Work-Out! Here's a news flash courtesy of our departing co-worker:
In the coming week, the English language will consist officially of at least one million words, according to the Global Language Monitor, which tracks the use of new words. (see Telegraph for source) Great news for word lovers everywhere! Let's celebrate with the Word of the Week:
Sesquipedalianism: The practice of using very long words. Also called sesquipedalism, sesquipedality. (adj. - sesquipedal, sesquipedalian) -- "-Ologies & -Isms: A Thematic Dictionary", Howard G. Zettler, Ed., Gale Research Company, Detroit, 1978.
Example: Jeremiah's sesquipedalianism made conversation with him well nigh incomprehensible to anyone but his fellow English professors at the University.
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