A Word on Vocabulary #4: “Honorificabilitudinitatibus”

It’s a monster. Be afraid, be very afraid!

There are some words that are so undoubtedly ludicrous in length and pronunciation that you can’t help but take note of them. This time, we’re looking at a word that I bet you can’t pronounce first go. That being said, if you do, you have ironically achieved honorificabilitudinitatibus.

Meaning: honourable, honourableness.

Origin: honorificabilitudinitatibus (Latin), meaning “the state of being able to achieve honours”. The word was used mockingly by Shakespeare in Love’s Labour’s Lost to insult people who like to use big words. However, this word has existed at least since the 9th century CE.

Example: taken from a chapter title of my novella, Space Trip: “Dave Finds Honorificabilitudinitatibus.”

This unruly beast is the longest word Shakespeare ever used. It’s also the longest word in the English language with alternating consonants and vowels. If you can not only say this word in one hit without stumbling, but also say it perfectly ten times in a row, then I will carve a marble statue in your honour!