Pronunciation Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, “a factitious word alleged to mean ‘a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very fine silica dust, causing inflammation in the lungs.’” A condition meeting the word’s definition is normally called silicosis.
It occurs chiefly as an instance of a very long word. The 45-letter word was coined to serve as the longest English word and is the longest word ever to appear in an English language dictionary. It is listed in the current edition of several dictionaries
i_am_the_jam over 11 years ago
Ha. I learned that word in the 6th grade.
wdpeck over 11 years ago
Pneumono – affecting the lungsUltramicroscopic – really smallSilico – involving siliconVolcano – self explanatoryConiosis – a disease caused by inhalation of dust
So, a lung disease caused by inhalation of very fine silicon particles from a volcanic eruption.
Herb Thiel Premium Member over 11 years ago
Bet she loses on onomatopoeia.
Spiff103 over 11 years ago
@The J.A.M.join the club!
johbjacob over 11 years ago
I got a bad feeling about this…
Comic Minister Premium Member over 11 years ago
At this rate Zack’s going to lose his glasses to Tanja! She would break them in two and then Zack would be blind.
comicnut4636 over 11 years ago
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Pronunciation Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, “a factitious word alleged to mean ‘a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very fine silica dust, causing inflammation in the lungs.’” A condition meeting the word’s definition is normally called silicosis.
It occurs chiefly as an instance of a very long word. The 45-letter word was coined to serve as the longest English word and is the longest word ever to appear in an English language dictionary. It is listed in the current edition of several dictionaries