And according to this, an English word has it beat: "Rindfleischetikettierungsueberwachungsaufgabenuebertragungsgesetz was considered an official word, but it never entered the dictionary. As the LA Times reports, the longest German word with a dictionary entry currently is Kraftfahrzeug-Haftpflichtversicherung, or motor vehicle liability insurance. Rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschaften, or an insurance company that provides legal protection, is the language’s longest non-dictionary appearing word. As the Atlantic points out, however, English has got it beat. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosi, or “a lung disease caused by inhaling very fine ash and sand dust,” trumps Rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschaften by six letters. "
Holysupercalifragelisticexpialedocious!
ReplyDeleteI did Google the German word - pretty disappointing!
And according to this, an English word has it beat:
Delete"Rindfleischetikettierungsueberwachungsaufgabenuebertragungsgesetz was considered an official word, but it never entered the dictionary. As the LA Times reports, the longest German word with a dictionary entry currently is Kraftfahrzeug-Haftpflichtversicherung, or motor vehicle liability insurance. Rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschaften, or an insurance company that provides legal protection, is the language’s longest non-dictionary appearing word. As the Atlantic points out, however, English has got it beat. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosi, or “a lung disease caused by inhaling very fine ash and sand dust,” trumps Rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschaften by six letters. "
Holy moly! Lexicographers must be getting bonuses for maximum syllables/letters/nonsense.
ReplyDeleteYou would think so.
Delete