Because you never know when you're going to need one
Going through a box of stuff this morning, I came across a list of adjectives, which I now share with you because, as noted above and as I was told when it was given to me half a lifetime ago, you never know when you're going to need one.
Things I like about this list include:
- Its absolute and unapologetic lack of any kind of order whatsoever.
- The fact that it was typed on a typewriter, using tab stops (this list goes back to my college days which are, many of them, 20 years gone. Yow.)
- The fact that only one word was misspelled on the original copy ("whistful" - or perhaps the author is a card aficionado?)
- The fact that all but one of them are, in fact, adjectives. I fixed the misspelling, but I left the noun in there. Makes the whole thing more human, wouldn't you say?
- Even more human: the small check marks next to about 13 of the sadder adjectives (not marked by me, and not transcribed here).
- And, of course, the thing that really makes this list appealing: They are adjectives of feeling, and you, personally, have probably felt every single one of these things at one time or another. Well, possibly excepting "virile", depending how literally you want to take that one, and whether you have the requisite bits.
| healthy irritated placid interested restored strong ecstatic dissatisfied troubled congenial excited disappointed passionate tired relaxed energetic pleased depressed gluttonous honorable flustered helpful benevolent invigorated gloomy blessed selfish disturbed infuriated tranquil indifferent brisk robust fortunate forlorn private sulky accommodating competent simple chipper distant deserted shamed limited discarded dishonored spry alarmed agitated appeased isolated | resentful exasperated pleasant exhausted sparkling virile peaceful melancholy private solemn agitated encouraged charitable strained lively vital successful tormented stingy inhospitable delighted perplexed bitter stimulated yawny gratified grouchy worried defeated embarrassed fatigued weary frail vivacious forsaken charitable confident confined capable docile wistful vain despised dignified accountable denied avoided restless cowardly determined loyal sterile | trapped mild devoted amused limp inactive sick miserable extravagant rough harassed fearful delighted inspired dull honored elated destitute wasteful cross troubled sentimental weak relieved moody miserly cranky pleased hindered gratified overworked active blissful lucky regret free imprisoned stimulated wanted bashful whimsical alone wicked bewildered absurd unwelcome ignored sluggish bold neglected withdrawn censured | scarred gentle attracted cheerful vigorous merry thrilled abandoned petty provoked composed contented disinterested holy dejected feeble discontented blue selfish powerful tempted infatuated drained jolly hopeless generous ignorant plagued apprehensive malicious rested involved heavy-hearted mortified closed cordial idle qualified useless modest bored abandoned disgraced dormant abused betrayed vague timid eager isolated united activated | disoriented chaotic wry neurotic impatient morbid horny snide proud meticulous hysterical chatty greedy paranoid mellow disappointed nonchalant suave harried overzealous homesick betrayed meditative sarcastic ambiguous compulsive vindicated vengeful insulted lethargic manipulative psyched doubtful dubious panicked introverted invaded torn wretched lazy apathetic ambivalent scattered shattered |
