The "semantic satiation" brought this to mind... Words that repulse people.

I'm certain other people must have this as well, but some words can almost physically gag me.  "Moist" is an example.  I can barely even type it without gagging.  I can even smell the word.  I have to substitute "damp" even though it isn't entirely correct.  The fascinating thing is that other people are entirely unbothered by that word.

So, I guess my point is, why do some words have that effect?

Congeal does it for me. It makes my skin crawl. Words are very powerful, no matter what the language. That's why we read some authors and not others. It's why some voices are heard above others.

But I have a question for you.  What is this semantic satiation you speak of? Is it a movement, or clever word play for your headline?

Barbara Manning wrote: Congeal does it for me. It makes my skin crawl. Words are very powerful, no matter what the language. That's why we read some authors and not others. It's why some voices are heard above others.

But I have a question for you.  What is this semantic satiation you speak of? Is it a movement, or clever word play for your headline?

There is another thread about it posted a little while before mine:  Semantic Satiation thread

And I'm with you on "congeal".  It doesn't bother me as much as the word I posted, but it's definitely gross.

You'll think I'm ridiculous but I can't stand the word "shoulder". I'm fine with it if I'm just saying or reading a sentence but if I have to say it by itself or think too much about it, it really bugs me and makes me shudder. I don't know why but it's been pretty constant since I was a little kid. 😂

Jenny Wright wrote:You'll think I'm ridiculous but I can't stand the word "shoulder". I'm fine with it if I'm just saying or reading a sentence but if I have to say it by itself or think too much about it, it really bugs me and makes me shudder. I don't know why but it's been pretty constant since I was a little kid. 😂

Lol, that's a funny one.  I'll admit that word has no connotations for me.

Panties. So gross and creepy.

Jan White wrote:Panties. So gross and creepy.

Seems like lots of women have that one. I think it's a silly word, but I don't understand the rest. Can you explain why it's gross and creepy, or is it just a gut reaction like my word does to me?

Just a gut reaction, I think. Although, when a guy uses the word, which seems like an infantilizing term to me, it can feel kinda pedophilic, depending on context.

I think I hated the word before this happened, but it's usually brought to mind when I hear it. I remember a male teacher in high school saying something to girl in one of my classes about how she was dressed. He was commenting on how all the colours she wore were always perfectly matched and said something specifically about what she was wearing that day. Bad enough, but then he added, "I bet even your panties are pink!" He walked away smiling serenely as if he'd paid her a compliment instead of admitting to imagining what his fifteen year old students looked like under their clothes. I think just about every girl who overheard felt like throwing up, and the student he spoke to literally curled up in her chair as tight as she could and looked close to tears.

So, yeah. Gross and creepy.