Some people say that "cellar door" is the most beautiful and most pleasant sounding combination of words in English. Do you agree? Can you think of any other? What about your own languages? Do you have one of these,and if not which one would you choose?
Cellar Door
This use of the phrase "cellar doors" originates from an essay by J.R.R. Tolkien called "English and Welsh". In the same essay, he remarked that Welsh is full of "cellar doors". He also later developed a passion for the Finnish language as well, but I don't know if it was for the same reason.
There was a joke I read once that plays upon this theme:
An Englishman was talking to his friends about how beautiful the English language is. He said, "Just listen to this: 'butterfly'." The Frenchman scoffed, "That is nothing, compared to 'papillon'." And the German asked, "And what is wrong with 'schmetterling'?"
(Of course, some people do find "schmetterling" to be a beautiful word, which shows that personal tastes vary widely in this area!)
- Kef
There was a joke I read once that plays upon this theme:
An Englishman was talking to his friends about how beautiful the English language is. He said, "Just listen to this: 'butterfly'." The Frenchman scoffed, "That is nothing, compared to 'papillon'." And the German asked, "And what is wrong with 'schmetterling'?"
(Of course, some people do find "schmetterling" to be a beautiful word, which shows that personal tastes vary widely in this area!)
- Kef
There are lots of words more beautiful than "cellar door". I just love the sound of the word "rennaissance" (although it's French).
To me, cellar door means "Tornado", so no, I do not think of it as "beautiful." It means "safety" or used to mean that.
Actually the "Schmetterling" joke is funny, but I don't find the word ugly. German can be an extremely elegant language when spoken well by people with pleasant voices. I know that many people are biased against German because of the Nazis, but remember Einstein, Mozart, Beethoven (BD today), Bach and many others spoke German and none of them were Nazis.
Actually the "Schmetterling" joke is funny, but I don't find the word ugly. German can be an extremely elegant language when spoken well by people with pleasant voices. I know that many people are biased against German because of the Nazis, but remember Einstein, Mozart, Beethoven (BD today), Bach and many others spoke German and none of them were Nazis.
I think "cellar door" sounds ugly. My favorite word is "senescence" or maybe "soliloquy".
<< To me, cellar door means "Tornado", so no, I do not think of it as "beautiful." It means "safety" or used to mean that. >>
Tolkien was speaking of the phrase isolated from his meaning. His exact words were, "Most English-speaking people...will admit that cellar door is 'beautiful', especially if dissociated from its sense (and from its spelling)." Imagine it being spelled Selador and the appeal may be more obvious.
- Kef
Tolkien was speaking of the phrase isolated from his meaning. His exact words were, "Most English-speaking people...will admit that cellar door is 'beautiful', especially if dissociated from its sense (and from its spelling)." Imagine it being spelled Selador and the appeal may be more obvious.
- Kef
The most beautiful English word by sound only is:
Wretchedly
So many nice exotic sounds! In one word, the meaning isnt nice, however!
Wretchedly
So many nice exotic sounds! In one word, the meaning isnt nice, however!
Now I see why I always found the toponym 'Morgantown' so fascinating.
It loosely replicates the harmony of 'cellar door'.
(Incidentally it has some Welsh content)
Or maybe was it just for Joni Mitchell's voice when she sang 'Mornin' Morgantown'
It loosely replicates the harmony of 'cellar door'.
(Incidentally it has some Welsh content)
Or maybe was it just for Joni Mitchell's voice when she sang 'Mornin' Morgantown'
De quoi parlez-vous? Je ne comprends presque rien.....
What are you talking about? I can't understand almost anything
De qué hablais? No entiendo casi nada
De que falam? Nao percebo quase nada
Was sprecht ihr? Ich verstehe das wirklich nichts
Di che cosa parlate? Non capisco quasi nulla
What are you talking about? I can't understand almost anything
De qué hablais? No entiendo casi nada
De que falam? Nao percebo quase nada
Was sprecht ihr? Ich verstehe das wirklich nichts
Di che cosa parlate? Non capisco quasi nulla
when I was a child in Germany, a teacher told us that her favorite English word was 'irrigation' because she loved the sound of it.
personally, I do not have one.
'willow' is nice though
so is 'thimble'
personally, I do not have one.
'willow' is nice though
so is 'thimble'