Do you ever hear a single revolting word that sends shudders down your spine? It’s called word aversion, and it’s scientifically proven! These cringe words trigger the feeling of disgust in our brain, or as psychologists would say, “revulsion response”. You might think it can be explained by the combination of sounds, but science has discovered that is not the case. Turns out, the actual words and letter formations have nothing to do with it. That sensation you get when someone drops the m word (moist) all comes down to what you are associating it with. When you think about the word slimy, what other words come to mind? Not surprisingly, most words that people find cringe worthy are usually associated with disease, decay, or bodily functions. Without further ado, here are the top ten WORST cringe words:
10. Pungent
9. Yeasty
8. Ointment
7. Bulbous
6. Congeal
5. Flaccid
4. Curdle
3. Crevice
2. Diddle
1. Moist