That being said, if you did not know prior to this, I am a word nerd.
Yup, it's true. In many a book of mine you can find a back page filled with words and page numbers where they can be found in context. Continuously open on my computer is my "Cambridge Dictionaries Extras" page where I can look up fine cognates, synonyms palindromes, homonyms, antonyms, malapropisms, acronyms, archaisms and the like with the bonus of being able to hear how each is pronounced--not only in my own American tongue, but also the somewhat more refined English spoken across the pond.
I succumbed to this little indulgence after beginning the wonderful adventure of learning Hungarian. The text I am studying uses the Queen's English a base from which to learn the proper enunciation of vowels and letter combinations.
I guess this fact really leads to the little nugget of thought which inspired this blog in the first place: a Hungarian word.
As you may have gleaned, I adore language. Foreign languages are like big puzzles just waiting to be deciphered. Hungarian is particularly fun since I'm familiar with the country and have friends who are Hungarian and are wonderful teachers!
I purchased a fine little primer by a Hungarian woman that came with learning CDs to boot. So I listen as instructed, repeating lots of phrases and jotting down rules and vocabulary. On the side I'll run through lists of Hungarian words to build my meager lexicon. I stumble upon new words and master less than I'd like...often finding favorites. Usually a word just sounds extraordinary to me, though sometimes one might stand out for some other (just as frivolous) reason.
I have been mastering a list of food words most recently (heh--food--something else I adore!) and I there is this most brilliant word: KRUMPLI. That is a hard 'k', rolled 'r', long 'u' (like "oo' in loop) a short 'm' with a nice "pl" sound ending with a long 'i' (like 'ee' in peep).... krumpli!
It is also the word that is one of my favorite foods...potato! Yummy in stew, french fried--with gravy no doubt, baked or jacket type, broiled with herbs--so many cooking options...and also a commendable toy!! In the photo above is King Mr. Potato Head.
I have quite a few Mr. Potato Head toys...they have accumulated in my office over the years and seem to have overtaken the shelves. I'm sure more photos will crop up around the blog in the future.
Well, I guess this blog also shows what the love words can lead to...someone who is quite verbose. Ah well, if nothing else, I've given myself a few chuckles. Now to work on my grammar and punctuation....
: )
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