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Friday, October 4, 2013

Library Word of the Week

It is October, which means we are nearing Halloween. As a fan of things that are spooky, I have already started with Halloween appropriate book displays (come and see before all the scary & paranormal books are gone!). 

Therefore, this installment of Library Word of the Week is a word that is leaning towards spooky. 

Horripilation
Definition: Goosebumps (caused by cold, by fear, etc)

PronunciationHor-ip-eh-lay-shun

OriginFrom late latin – horripilationem. A blend of horrere, meaning ‘to bristle’ and pilus, meaning ‘hair’.

Why This Word?
Who knew that there was a proper word for Goosebumps? I certainly didn’t until I heard a speech given by Irish Trade Unionist Billy Hannigan, in which he referred to something that was so fearful that it causes horripilation. Indeed, although the word can be used to describe any appearance of goose-bumps, it is particularly apt when referring to those caused by ‘fear’. After all, the word horripilation shares the same genesis as horror and horrible.

How to use this word: The speech in which I first heard the word is perhaps the best way to introduce a word such as horripilation – or, indeed, any unused word. Quite simply, it caused the people listening to the speech to pause on hearing this new word and then to re-engage with the speech. There is a lesson in this for all public speakers.

- See more at: http://unusedwords.com/2013/05/12/horripilation/#sthash.oxW19ckJ.dpuf

Maybe R.L. Stine should have called his book series Horripilation instead of Goosebumps.

What word do you think would be a good word to feature on the next Library Word of the Week?

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