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Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
by
Nancy Posey
n. fear of big words
Shunning Latinate constructions, I choose
instead the simple Anglo-Saxon
monosyllabic words, simple words.
Why utilize what I can use? I want to
make sense, not fabricate matter for
comprehension. Call it a fear, a phobia,
but my skin crawls when I hear pseudo-
words like functionality or paradigm.
In the beginning, we are told, was the Word.
and He spoke the world into being with
"Let there be light!" not "Illuminate this
cosmological nothingness into existence."
Imagine Matthew penning, "The Messiah
grew copiously lachrymose" instead of
"Jesus wept."
As I work on my own humble creations,
I seek clean, clear words, simple ideas:
Leave pomegranates, gorgonzola, and
osculation to other more erudite lovers;
I’ll tell you, in no uncertain terms, I
love you. I will feed you apples and
cheese. We will share one sweet kiss.
From Let the Lady Speak (January 2011).
Used here with permission.
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Nancy Posey's poetry and book reviews have appeared in a number of publications. After living in Hickory, North Carolina for many years, she moved to Nashville in 2016 to be closer to her grandchildren. A native of Alabama and a former high school teacher, Nancy currently serves as an adjunct professor at Lipscomb University, and co-hosts a monthly event--Black Dog Poetry Open Mic, held remotely since 2020. Serving on the songwriting committee of the International Bluegrass Music Association, Nancy also writes for Bluegrass Unlimited, No Depression magazine, and Music City Music Magazine. She regularly conducts video interviews of songwriters featured on the IBMA's social media sites. Having completed her Ed.D. in 2023, Nancy feels amused when addressed as "Dr. Posey."
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Darrell Arnold:
This made me chuckle. I know there are hundreds of words in the English language I've never heard or used, but I'm not going to seek them out. The simple vocabulary that I've used my entire life will work just fine. What Matthew might have written blows my mind. Hilarious. I have a friend who actually used the word "epiglottis" quite properly and successfully in an rhymed and metered poem. Accomplishments such as that are rare.
Posted 04/21/2026 08:52 AM
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George Wentz:
I understand the last line but will need help from my hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobiologist with the rest of it!
Posted 04/21/2011 04:16 PM
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Katrina:
I love this - especially the first verse and the title! Thanks for the prescriptinition.
Posted 04/21/2011 11:34 AM
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Joe Sottile:
Bravo Nancy Posey! Mark Twain said,"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
Posted 04/21/2011 11:32 AM
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KevinArnold:
What fun! I'm afraid to use any words over four letters . . . seriously, this is a very sure-footed poem, good to the last drop.
Posted 04/21/2011 08:28 AM
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dotief@comcast.net:
Me, too! Great poem!
Posted 04/21/2011 08:27 AM
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jeanie:
sweet! i love the last stanza!
Posted 04/21/2011 07:17 AM
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