Words that just feel good on the tongue

I’ve been thinking about the English language lately, mainly because it’s the only language I know. I’ve decided it needs a boost, so I’ve come up with a list of the 10 Most Beautiful Words.

This was not an easy task, considering there are more than 470,000 entries in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary. But in a recent column I came up with my Top 10 Driving Irritations, and I whittled that down from a list much longer than a measly 470,000.

We might not know it, but everyone has their favorite words. Whether we’re talking or writing, there’s a conscious or subconscious satisfaction in using certain words. When it comes out of the mouth, or when it’s typed onto a page, it just feels good.

I started thinking about favorite words when I was fresh out of college and working as a copy boy in the sports department of The Chronicle. I only lasted a year before moving on to a different career, but it left an impression.

Bruce Jenkins, who is widely regarded as one of the best sportswriters in the business, was just getting started in his career, only a few years out of college himself. While I was running copy, he was writing about sports, and I watched and tried to learn.

I’m sure he doesn’t remember this, but he had a favorite word that he used time and time again, and I could see that he embraced it as his own. So in deference to Bruce and his illustrious career with The Chronicle, I’ll start my Top 10 Beautiful Words with the one that let me know that writers have favorites. 10: Vintage. I don’t see Bruce using this word as much these days. Like many relationships, maybe it got stale. But it’s still a beautiful word, and I’m proud to have it in my Top 10. 9: Certainly. It doesn’t have panache, it doesn’t have any vim or vigor. But to me, it’s just plain comforting. I probably use it more often than I should, but I don’t care. It always makes me nod in agreement. 8: Neanderthal. This word always makes me smile. Cro-Magnons, Homo sapiens — they simply don’t have the same joyful ring. There’s something lovable about this word. 7: Caress. It doesn’t get more soothing than this word. What’s surprising is I don’t know anyone named Caress. I’m sure that will change once the Top 10 Beautiful Words hits the internet. 6: Northern. This was a tough one, because I could have just as easily chosen southern. Both have smooth edges. But western and eastern didn’t come close to making the cut, which shows the painstaking thought that went into composing this list. 5: Relinquish. Put a “q” in a word and it’s got a good chance to make the list. It’s a letter that is underrepresented and underappreciated. I chose relinquish because ... well, I actually have no idea. I just liked the sound. 4: Evergreen. I was sitting outside the other day and looking at a tree that had lost all its leaves for the winter. I naturally thought of the word “deciduous.” Then I thought of its counterpart, “evergreen,” and it dawned on me what a beautiful word it was. That’s why it made the list. 3: Eloquent. There’s that beautiful “q” again. If a word can be suitably named, this is the one. Eloquent is an eloquent word. There’s no other way to describe it. 2: California. There are other states that were in contention, like Colorado or Wisconsin, but they’re not quite in California’s league. Maybe it’s because I went to Cal, or maybe it’s because I was born and raised here, but I love the word California. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger’s pronunciation couldn’t screw it up. 1: Knucklehead. Some may be surprised to see this as the No. 1 choice of The 10 Most Beautiful Words. Not me. I love this word and use it as often as possible, quite often to describe myself. It rolls off the tongue, and generally offends no one. It’s just plain fun, and what’s wrong with that?

So there it is, the definitive 10 Most Beautiful Words in the English language. Hard to believe, but it is possible that a few readers might disagree with some of the selections, and that’s their prerogative. Let them devise their own list. With 469,990 other choices, I’m sure they’ll come up with something. The English language will be grateful.

We might not know it, but everyone has their favorite words.