The Web Haunt of Ryan K Lindsay

I love words. They mean everything to me, I want to work with them professionally one day, I express myself through them, and I simply enjoy being around them. Writing them is bliss, and there are certain words that I love, simply put. I like what they mean, what they sound like, and usually most importantly, what they look like. I can remember looking at dictionaries when I was younger, and I still collect them to this day. Some words just sing off the page to me, and so being the lexinerd I am I have decided to list my favourite words, one per each letter. So, hold onto your butts, here we go.

A - ampersand
It looks cool, it’s a massive word that means and, or at least the symbol for it, and it’s the name of a very cool comic monkey from my favourite series. What’s not to love, just look at that word, screams “I’m awesome!” This one just recently beat out anachronistic, so sad.
B - barbarian
This word has a nice 3-3-3 beat when you have to spell it, plus it makes me think of Conan, which is never, ever a bad thing. It also make me think of barbaric, which almost replaced it, and that’s a cool word because it offers up all kinds of acts. In the end I went with barbarian because when you think of the word you are given such a rich character in your mind, I can see the weapons, the furs, the might, and the craziness.
C - cityscape
This is a term I always associate with comics. I love the cityscapes that certain artists draw of the places that their heroes reside within. You get skyscrapers, buildings with massive water towers on top, satellites, pitch perfect sunsets in the distance, and a lone figure outcropping from all of thr architecture. It’s a visual word, and when you’ve seen enough then the word has plenty of visuals to offer you.
D - debris
I first read this word in an old book ‘The Cay’. The book rocked, and once I learnt how to say it correctly, debris rocked as well. I see the word and I instantly think of pieces of smashed ship floating through frothy waves. And who doesn’t want to see that?
E - eponymous
Simply one of my all time favourite words, if not actually the number one spot now. It looks sleek, it’s fun to say, and it means the name of a character that is also used in the title of a story. I always think of the eponymous Hamlet as my example. But there are so many throughout history. I love this word so much I used it as a name for a character in a webcomic I am trying to set up.
F - feudal
Imagine living in feudal Japan back in the day of big sets of armour and sharper than razor swords. Well, that’s what I imagine when I look at this word. It’s amazing that six letters can build that image in my head instantly.
G - genetic
Great word to throw into a story, it encompasses everything that can be defined within man. This word shows me a scientific world that fascinates me and offers endless possibilities. I like that one word can do that for me.
H - helicarrier
I dare someone to argue that this word isn’t the coolest thing ever invented. It’s a massive aircraft carrier in the sky! It hovers like a helicopter and it is easily the coolest vehicle to ever be thought of, spoken about, drawn, or hopefully built. Just Google the word, go on, right now, and bask in the awesomeness.
I - immortal
Who wants to live forever? Not just a question posed by rock gods Queen, but an actual thought to consider seriously. Imagine being immortal, Highlander-style. Just the word looks like it could offer you untold treasures and promises.
J - jazz
Besides being my favourite basketball team, it’s also a very cool style of music. It looks good, it’s got a short, sharp punch and it plays a tune in my head. One of my few auditory words.
K - killer
Because every story is made better by a killer. It’s an emotive and harsh word to use and it changes the characters and story around it. Always effective.
L - lithe
I have always loved this word. I think it fitting that the word, in my mind, looks like what it is describing. It’s a word that rolls off the tongue and if you picture something with it, well then it’s probably going to be a nice image.
M - metaphysical
What this word represents is something I love. The concept of metaphysics and the writing about it, be it Donne’s poetry or Clive Barker’s strange novels, has always fascinated me. This is the one science degree I would actual enroll in.
N - noir
It’s another concept word, it’s an image of a smoky alley way, a trenchcoat collar pulled way up, a damsel in distress. It’s a word that can trigger off a story, and I love it when one word can inspire creation. This word just represents so much.
O - obsession
It’s a word that looks good, but you forget what it really means. To be so completely devoted to something, or someone, that they become your every waking thought. It’s a scary concept to have one thing become a person’s entire field of vision.
P - phoenix
The ability to rise from the ashes, the life forever revolving. The massive bird with wings of flame. This word is most definitely a visual word. And who could not like the image of a phoenix?
Q - quarantine
Just a cool looking word, and it helps that it accompanies stories like The Stand or any zombie movie worth its merit.
R - robot
Imagine Asimov back in the day creating his laws and writing his stories. Except he was dead serious. He had it all thought out and he was one smart bastard. He wasn’t speculating, he was predicting, and one day the real world will catch up with his vision, as we already have to degrees right now.
S - superspy
This isn’t just some guy with a gun, this is the coolest damn person you ever met. This is someone with gadgets and escape plans, and plenty of women. This is the ultimate in cool hero.
T - theoretical
This word is a prefix word for me, be it a theoretical concept, or more preferably a theoretical science, I love that it offers that little out. It’s like when my lady asks if there are any marshmallows on the shelf at the store and I reply “None that I could see.” It’s leaving that wiggle room which is always important.
U - unison
One of the greatest speaking verbs, and one I remember reading for the first time in my youth. It looks cooler than what it means, though I always love when I see it used. I don’t want to see it die out, so I’ll use it from time to time. These words won’t survive on their own.
V - viking
As a noun or a verb it’s a cool word. It’s like barbarian in that it speaks of a different age and an interesting style of person, and very interesting actions for them. You write a viking well and you’ve got a wicked little character brewed up.
W - werewolf
Because I like old school horror and I know that one day I will add something to the werewolf genre. I don’t care about the vampire genre, though I do have one vamp short story, but the werewolf genre is something that could use a kick in the rear. I also love, LOVE, An American Werewolf In London.
X - xerox
It’s a brand that became a verb and you have to respect that, to degrees. Plus, there just aren’t that many cool x words out there for me, so this one is sadly the weak link. The only awesome x words i could rememeber were names, and Xizor from Shadows Of The Empire just doesn’t count.
Y - yak
Whether it be animal or speaking verb this word always kind of cracks me up. It’s just so blunt and ugly, much like either meaning, that I feel strangely drawn to it. Plus, it makes me think of Arnie singing Yakkety Yak on a plane.
Z - zephyr
Do I even need to explain why this word rocks the business. Just look at it, say it, enjoy it. Zephyr just feels right like a bat in the hand. Now use it.

So, that’s my nerd out for the day. Most people may look at this and never understand but for me, this is my stock in trade. I want to say to a class one day, “Kids, I deal in lead.” And then pull out a pencil. Why do I want to do that? Because it’s a line they probably won’t know I’m referencing, and then they’ll just groan. Groan because I’ve basically turned to dad jokes and that’s one foot in the grave.

I hope you have enjoyed my trip through alpha town and that it has made you think of a few favourite words as well. They’re how we communicate, we’d be lost without them, so show them a little love. Tell them what you think of them.

Posted on December 7th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under: Uncategorized