Something Quite Atrocious

As you may know by reading my blogs I abhor snobbery in any form. I also am not much of a rule follower, mostly because rules and social mores change with the wind so I might as well follow my own heart as much as I can.

I include the English language in my diatribe. I understand there has to be rules; we all must read other people’s work, after all. And I do admit that I have a rebel streak. But I’ve worked with enough publishers now to know that 1) even “accepted” rules are not always interpreted the same and 2), English rules change. Language evolves. It has to, even if we don’t like a particular slang word or what we might perceive as laziness. Language is of the people and reflects who we are in this moment.

But sometimes a word so captures the heart and soul of a people that it stays long after its trendiness has faded. Take "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." It originated within a song from the musical Mary Poppins decades ago. I sung the word when I was a kid and still do. I think most people would, at the very least, recognize it as a tongue twister from an old movie.

This word embodies everything I love about English: brash, sometimes silly, complex, and often poking fun at pompousness. The creator of this word, songwriter Robert B. Sherman, died the other day. He and his brother wrote many memorable songs, but this one will always be my favorite.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Even though the sound of it
Is something quite atrocious
If you say it loud enough
You'll always sound precocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!