Agog, Bogus, Cusp

Let’s hear it for the little words.  

I relish finding the perfect word for each idea, and I love reading books that tickle my delight in rich vocabulary. I find special pleasure in the little words, the gems of five letters or fewer that pack a wallop, and so, in honor of our common verve for language, I highlight 26 choice little words:

Hopkins gate at Williams College: little words, big ideas.

agog

bogus

cusp

din

élan

fop

gauge

hovel

ilk

jowly

kin

lithe

moxie

nil

oust

pique

quip

rube

stint

taut

usurp

vile

warp

xeric

yon

zeal