ST Nov 26, 2004

Mother is the most beautiful word

London - MOTHER is the most beautiful word in the English language, followed by passion, smile, love and eternity, according to a worldwide survey released yesterday.

The British Council, the government agency that promotes British culture around the globe, quizzed more than 40,000 people in 102 non-English speaking countries on their favourite words.

Fantastic, destiny, freedom, liberty and tranquility filled out the top 10 rankings of most beautiful English words, out of a list of 70 words.

Others that made the grade included lollipop (42), flip-flop (59), hen night (70) and banana (41), along with twinkle (23), hiccup (63) and oi (61).

'It is interesting that mother, the only word of the 70 that describes a direct relationship between people, came top of the poll,' said a British Council spokesman.

Father did not make the list at all. \-- AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE