Saturday, February 28, 2009

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.
Small disclaimer: The fifth column was in my own handwriting and, I think, added with the help of a group of students.

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

1 comments:

Unknown March 05, 2009 10:12 AM  

Sweet-Jaysus-in-a-speedo...how long did it take you to write up this post woman? ;)

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