I have put a lot of thought into which word I consider to be the most beautiful word in the English Language. Before I tell you my conclusions let me digress by saying: I love English. I have sat in countless sessions, listening to Bible teachers explain how shallow and clumsy a language it is, and disagreeing with all my heart. The English lexicons are fresh, lovely, vast, and versatile. Two books have recently facilitated the continuation of my falling deeply and firmly in love with our language. The Elements of Style, by William Strunk and E.B. White, and 25 Great Sentences and How they Got that Way by Geraldine Woods are both superb expressions of the beauty of English, and worth a read if you feel as I do on the subject.
When I went to determine the most beautiful word in our beautiful language, I quickly decided to leave aesthetic beauty behind. There is just too much. Apparently 'Tremulous' has the most objectively beautiful sound. I personally adore 'Silver,' 'Pearl,' 'Citadel,' 'Sweet,' and 'Archive', but even there I find meaning sways my opinion of beauty. So, forgetting sound all together, and focusing solely on meaning, let me make the case for 'Come.'
Immediately you know there are two people. They are far apart right now, but one wants the other to be closer. I think the other knows they ought to be closer, but is slightly reluctant. Hence-
"Come."
It is love. It is care. It could be discipline. It could be a wardrobe adjustment. It could be comfort, or a storybook, or to clip some nails. Certainly it is a bond, maybe past, maybe present, surely future, especially if 'come' recurs.
"Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
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