I Give You My Word

For a long time now I've been thinking of posting on words I can't stand the sound of, but what put me off was writing the piece would mean I'd have to write those words.  But now there's a piece in Slate on word aversion, so I guess I don't have to.

There are certain words that just give people the creeps.  The disgust is not necessarily based on the meaning of the word--though that plays into it--but the sound itself.  Surprisingly, one of the least-liked words is moist. I can see certain unpleasant associations, but I've got no problem with it.

Other words that get to people include ointment, vomit, phlegm, ooze, mucus, puke, scab and pus.  Okay, I can see those.  But what about slacks, crevice or panties?  The mere association with private parts seems to be enough to send some into a frenzy.

Worse, some people gag on luggage, meal, pugilist, squab and hardscrabble.  I guess they've got personal associations, but those words seem, if a bit on the harsh side, mostly harmless.

So what are the words I can't deal with?  I'm not going to tell you, or they'll just start showing up every day in the comments.