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PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPIC-
SILICOVOLCANICONIOSIS

by Matt H
(Harlow)

n. a lung disease caused by the build up of toxic volcanic ash.

Why I Think It's A Cool Word

Unofficially, it's the longest word ever!!

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Hi Matt - This is one of those words that most professional wordsmiths would politely describe as 'artificial'. It is technically meaningful, but was created 'on purpose' to be the longest word in an English dictionary (which, to the best of my knowledge, it still is).

Although the word itself is contrived, it does refer to a genuine medical condition experienced by workers involved in abrasive work, such as drilling or sawing.

In the real world, doctors refer to this condition as silicosis. Otherwise, they wouldn't have any time left to treat it ;-)

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PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPIC-
SILICOVOLCANICONIOSIS

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unfortunately..
by: Anonymous

unfortunately, there is an even longer word.

it is...

smiles

because there is a mile between the two 'S's

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What about...
by: Anonymouse

From an early grade in grade school, seems to me the longest word (which also seems contrived) was "antidisestablishmentarianism". Funny enough though, I have a "spelling certificate" from about grade 4, and when I rediscovered it recently, it actually has "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcaniconiosis" on it, and cites me as a "spectacular speller".

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