Re: pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

From: Robert Owen (rowen@technologist.com)
Date: Sat Dec 18 1999 - 00:39:32 MST


Gina Miller wrote:

> The Random House Dictionary of the English Language second edition
> unabridged 1987 page 1491.
> Your CHALLENGE is met.
> Gina "Nanogirl" Miller
>
> >> >pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.com?(which is the longest
> >CHALLENGE! Please name dictionary, edition, version (if applicable) and
> page.
> >
> >Bob
> >

Webster GATEWAY doesn't have it; However, Albatross at Geocities confirms:
"Did you know that the longest word in the English language (or at least the
longest word known to the Albatross...) is:

                pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.

As recompense, I will supply you with arguably the shortest word in the English
Language: "Aa", meaning a sort of cindery lava. I have Helga Williams to thank
for this one, who also confirms that "antidisestablishmentarianism" with its
measly 28 letters is no longer Numero Uno, but according to her our new word
with 45 letters is "the new contender".

Naturally, the word "contender" is not given here as a dodge, but nevertheless
we must continuue our research as a precaution.

My congratulations to Gina and Zeb,

Bob

=======================
Robert M. Owen
Director
The Orion Institute
57 W. Morgan Street
Brevard, NC 28712-3659 USA
=======================



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