I collect sassy words and phrases because life is short and why not spice up your conversation or writing? Here’s another helping off my gigantic, never-ending list.

Collective effervescence aka contagious euphoria is one of my all time favorite descriptions.. It’s fun to say the entire phrase using a jubilant voice. If you are looking for some attention, this is the expression to flaunt. Pondering how to use it in your writing? Think about the best concert you’ve ever been to…one where everybody is jamming and grinning and loving on life and each other. Now describe an event in your life that produced a similar feeling.

Cattywampus. My husband has been saying this a lot lately. I asked him if he spent time in the South before I knew him. He rolled his eyes. Fun fact. I’m unable to say cattywampus without a fake Southern drawl. Lord knows I’ve tried. Time and again, cattywampus resists my midwestern accent. By the way, cattywampus means crooked…out of alignment. I try to say cattwampus at least once a day because it amuses me. What word or expression do you get a kick out of saying?

Rapscallion or Scalawag. These two words sound like what they mean…a rascal, a mischievous you-know-what, a brat, a little devil, a trouble-maker, etc. etc, etc. Rapscallion and scalawag are growly types of words, perfect for situations where you need to stop a little devil cold in his tracks! A crisp delivery is required for maximum effect!

Sycophant. Think bootlickers, fawners, suck-ups…you get my drift. Here’s a sentence for context. At the end of his life, Kings Henry’s VIII’s council consisted of only sycophants. Sycophant is much more elegant rolling off the tongue than butt-kisser. Plus, if you hiss sycophant under your breath a lot of people will have to look up the meaning of the word. You’ll probably have to spell it for them too.

Miasma. This is a word that does not sound like what it means. When I say miasma, I think of an Italian entree dish. Bring me a miasma with sauce on the side, per favore! Nope. Not even close. Any guesses? Drum roll please. Miasma means… a cloud of foul-smelling vapor. Gross, I know. Please don’t ask for one at the restaurant. Do find a way to work it into a conversation or into a story you are writing. I ‘m super stoked I found this jewel of a word!

If you like this list of cool words and phrases, check out my other post here.

Be adventurous in your speech and your writing. Not so much that you’re putting on airs, but a pinch here and a dash there adds pizzazz, and pizzazz is a good thing!