Word of the Day: Floccinaucinihilipilification

Floccinaucinihilipilification

the estimation of something as valueless (encountered mainly as an example of one of the longest words in the English language).

(Definition from Oxford English Dictionary)

Origin of floccinaucinihilipilification

1735–45; < Latin floccī + naucī + nihilī + pilī all meaning “of little or no value, trifling” + -fication

(Origin from Dictionary.com)

My Connection

Around the time I learned the word antidisestablishmentarianism, I became interested in learning long words, just for fun. There are a decent number of them that are twenty letters or longer, it turns out, but some of them were only created for the express purpose of making a long word. There is some debate about whether floccinaucinihilipilification is one of those or not, but it is certainly an interesting one, regardless. As you can see from the definition, each of its four introductory pieces means the same thing: “of little or no value.” So you might say that the word is worthless.

Nonetheless, I find that the word applies to me, particularly regarding the entertainment industry, and most especially, regarding movies and television. Even as a child, I had little interest in movies or television and, as I grew older, that small amount of interest diminished further. I find most movies to be unoriginal repeats at best, and plotless drivel at worst. I’m afraid it’s quite difficult for anything on television to hold my interest.

This tendency toward floccinaucinihilipilification can cause me problems when, for instance, a friend foolishly asks me what I thought of basically any movie or TV show. Unfortunately, being an honest and relatively transparent person, I tell them. If they’ve known me very long, they don’t ask unless they’re ready for my long-winded, probably scathing, answer (or think they are, at least).

That being said, I do still watch movies and television shows alongside my friends when they want to. I try to remain as quiet and unobtrusive during the process as possible, in spite of my continual dismay, although I’m sure they would tell you that I never shut up. What can I say? It’s hard!

And so, in honor of the various difficulties generated by this particular condition, I present to you the following poem:

Ode To Floccinaucinihilipilification, My Old Friend

Oh, floccinaucinihilipilification,

How I abhor your name;

And if you were to speak to me,

I’m sure you’d say the same.

**********

No matter where I go, it seems,

It isn’t quite as good

As if I’d stayed inside my house –

If only that I could!

**********

And when I look at old knickknacks,

Or trinkets of all kinds,

There seems to be nothing of worth

Within my many finds.

**********

Each part of you means nothing,

Which pleases me just fine,

For since you came into my life,

Nothing has been divine.

**********

You’ve got me in a spot, dear flocc;

I don’t know what to say;

I’ve made plans to go to heaven,

But you go where you may!

Author's Note: I wrote this story as a contest entry for the Part F: The A-Z of Unusual Words contest. I hope you enjoyed the read. I'd love to hear what you think, so please feel free to leave a comment, click the heart, and subscribe!