Phonetically speaking, what do you think is the most unattractive word in the English language?

Question

I'm not talking about the word's definition, just how it sounds. Mine is "crotch". I can't hardly even bring myself to say it. There needs to be a new word for that.

Oh my gosh Cranky, I can't believe you said that! I forgot that as a kid, I too had this huge thing with the word "pus" that made we want to throw up when I heard it. Actually, I think that may be worse than "crotch".

In The Know, I sort of like the word "moist" but I agree with you about "phlegm". that's a good one.

Precision, perhaps "toot" and "upchuck" would be better alternatives?

Answer 1

I hate the word "congestion." Nasal congestion. Traffic congestion. Yuk.
Most of the answers are words that have gross meanings, not just gross phonetic sounds. Would they be so bad if you didn't know what they meant?
Somewhere I heard that, to those who speak no English, the prettiest word in the English language was "diarrhea." Go figure, huh?

Answer 2

There isn't a problem with English as it is. 1) "Phonetic" spelling. First of all, which dialect are you going to use as the model? You can only have ONE dialect as the standard for a "phonetic" spelling system. So all the other people who speak English natively are out of luck. Second, you will lose contact with the millions of pages of English that has been written over the last 10 centuries by changing the spelling. Children would have to learn to read TWO different languages in order to read current materials and literature from the past. That's impractical. Third, the sounds of every language are constantly changing. Once a couple of generations pass, the "phonetic" spelling system is no longer phonetic. You either have to reform the system every two or three generations or have a "phonetic" system that ceases to be phonetic. 2) English grammar is constantly changing. That's just the nature of language. You can eliminate all the exceptions and inconsistencies of language today and they will be replaced by new exceptions and inconsistencies within two or three generations. English is no more and no less "inconsistent" and "illogical" than any other language. As languages change over time, these things enter the language. That's just the nature of language change. Inconsistencies and irregularies are just the leftovers of past regular grammar. Also, there are almost an infinite variety of wonderful things to be found in the world's languages, but they do not always work well together. And, finally, languages MUST operate with a certain amount of redundancy. Communication would grind to a halt without redundancy.

Answer 3

Gargle. (Phonetically speaking. Sounds like you're choking.) However, I could puke when I hear the word "pus." I used to work with a girl who would run screaming out of the room if someone said "panties." Go figure!

Answer 4

For me, it is the "F" word - I cringe everytime I hear it - even in a joke. And it is not what it means that trully offends me becuase someone can say "sexual intercourse" and I would'nt bat an eyelid. But the "F" word? If ugliness has a sound it will sound like "f**k" for sure.

Answer 5

THE most horrid word is the 'n' word. The one that has two g's in the middle. What a filthy word.

Answer 6

Rectal area

Answer 7

OMG!!!! How do you have the EXACT same answer to this question as someone else??

I was gonna say "moist" or "phlegm."

Weird.....

Answer 8

Blog. It sounds like you just threw up saying it.

Answer 9

Anything to do with bodily functions...

F*rt is the biggest for me see I can't even TYPE it let alone say it. Vomit is another one....

Warts is another one gross

Answer 10

Snot and c*nt are ugly sounding words to me.