Daunting

I have this thing: when I learn a new word and like the sound of it, it becomes a "phase" for me to continually say it as often as I can. However, there are a few words that just stick with me for the rest of my life.

My first, and most important favorite word is.....

Daunting.

Dictionary definition: fearful and intimidating.

I first learned this word in 7th grade English. It was part of our weekly vocabulary. Only, this week, we had to make mnemonics on flashcards to study for them. When I looked up the word in the dictionary, I understood it easily--it's an easy word. And, it sounds like "haunting"--which is spooky! Thus, I came up with mnemonic. On the front side of the notecard was the word daunting with a tombstone and a ghost. On the otherside was the definition. 

From that day on, I loved using the word daunting.  

Daunting, daunting, daunting.

Daunting

Daunting

And, since I learned the word in Virginia, with a teacher who most definitely had a Southern accent, it became 

Dhaaaaaaauuuunting. 

A long drawn out sound, a gasp, a sigh of fear, of giving up. More meaning to the word.

So, if you hear me say "daunting,"  you know it is my favorite word.