Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder–or the ear of the listener–but when it comes to discerning the most beautiful words in the English language, there’s some objectivity at play.

Certain sounds make English speakers cringe; moist is a classic example. When said aloud, it can elicit not only irritation, but a negative physical reaction called word aversion. Word aversion is different from word rage, which describes a dislike for a word or phrase based on its meaning or context, rather than its sound. Like, literally and partner used in a romantic sense are commonly raged-against words, whereas fester and munch are loathed for their unpleasantness.

Some linguists believe that meaning is inextricably linked to sound, so whether or not we enjoy a word is rooted in what the word describes. This could explain why maggots, phlegm and roaches are among the most hated, while lithe, epiphany and felicity are among the most celebrated. It could also explain why a poll conducted by the British Council, asking English learners to name the most beautiful words in the language, turned up positively charged, but not-so-euphonic results: mother, passion,freedom and fantastic.

Still, certain sounds are more preferred than others–the letters “m” and “l” are seen among many words that are widely considered…

Read more | huffingtonpost.com

Photo credit | Words. by Nina Jean on Flickr