PoetryBase/Poetry Gnosis Home   Mission Statement   Frequently Asked Questions   Poetic Forms Listing   Poetic Tips Listing   The Gnostic Poet's Discourses   Poetry-Related Reviews   Letters to a Young Writer   Site Change Log

Use funny words.

“Language itself can be funny. Think of funny words (frugal, Tonka, blephobia) and work them up into a song.” -- Peter Berryman

 

What would the Double Dactyl form be without six-syllable words? Probably not nearly as funny. Long, complex, scientific words are often funny. Sinestrorotatory? Other words just feel funny in the mouth, like: widdershins, wunderkind, or didactic. Repetitive elements in words can be funny. Momentous? Nene? Mandamus? Some words are just so self-important that they are funny to see in use. So, get out in the world with your vocabulary lessons and quests, and find words that are funny, that are weird to say, and then find a way to incorporate them into your poetry.

 
Tip Origin: Peter Berryman

 
Status: Complete

 

To contact us, e-mail thegnosticpoet@poetrybase.info.
Copyright © 2001-2015 by Charles L. Weatherford. All rights reserved.