Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.ogg , also spelled -koniosis) is, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, "a factitious word alleged to mean 'a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very fine silica dust found in volcanoes' but occurring chiefly as an instance of a very long word."[1]. It was coined to serve as the longest English word and is the longest word ever to appear in an English language dictionary. This 45-letter word, referred to as P45[2], first appeared in the 1939 supplement to the Merriam-Webster New International Dictionary, Second Edition[3]. It is listed in the current edition of several dictionaries.[4] A condition meeting the word's definition is normally called silicosis.
It is not the longest word ever however. I am sure my dad can pronounce this word.
It was a strange day- so a strange post is fitting.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Aren't you just a fountain of knowledge!? kelli
That was way over my blonde head! I like the photo of "the look" I think every wife has one!
Post a Comment