Welcome

My name is David Burrows and I am a freelance translator of Spanish into English. This blog contains some of my favourite words, a (mostly) amusing explanation of said words as well as some of my musings about translation. I hope you enjoy it.

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

Antidisestablishmentarianism

Noun - a political position that originated in nineteenth-century Britain in opposition to proposals for the disestablishment of the Church of England.

"Look out! The antidisestablismentarianists are coming!"

It had to go in here, really. I mean, look at it in all its glory. With its 12 syllables and 28 letters, this is supposedly the longest word in the English language but you have to discount these scientific words which scientists seem to just make up as and when they feel like it. Look at the ingredients on your shower gel for proof or Google the world's longest word (I am not going to write any here as they are just ridiculous [ooo, good word]).
Unfortunately you don't get much chance to use antidisestablishmentarianism these days, although it is tempting to write that I am an Antidisestablishmentarianist whenever prompted for my political stance. Strangely enough, no songs have been written about it, which is a shame.

Usage: "I hear they just found the cure for antidisestablishmentarianism!"

P.S. Confused by the Chicken? You try finding an amusing picture for the word Antidisestablishmentarianism...

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