the ugliest english words

perhaps you are wondering what the yin to the yang of beautiful german words is. it’s ugly english words, duh. way back in 1946—when joe davis was slamming his way to his 15th consecutive world snooker championship—the national association of teachers of speech (nats) organised a contest to determine the ten ugliest words in english. they are:

• crunch
• flatulent
• gripe
• jazz
• phlegmatic
• plump
• plutocrat
• sap
• treachery

drumroll please: the ugliest english word was determined to be cacophony. no offense, nats—but don’t you think that it’s just a little too convenient that the worst-sounding word in english means “having an ill sound?” what is your favourite noun…let me guess…is it noun?