There s a scientific reason why we all cringe at the word moist
There's a scientific reason why we all cringe at the word 'moist' indy100 indy100 Indy100 logoNewsletter sign upRegister/Sign inTop 100NewsViralPoliticsCelebritiesScience & TechVideoWishlistWishlistBooksFashion & BeautyFood & DrinkHome & GardenKidsSports & FitnessTechTravel & OutdoorsMoreScience & techVideoConversationsSportIdentitiesLifestyleShowbizTVSearchxScience & Tech
But it's not moist's fault that it makes you think about bodily functions. A new study from Oberlin College and Trinity University in the US on word aversion has found that it's a question of what our brains associate it with. Psychologist Paul Thibodeau and his colleagues gave participants a set of words and asked them to rate how uncomfortable the words made them feel. Fairly obviously words with sexual overtones provoked the strongest negative feelings when 'moist' followed afterwards. Survey respondents disliked 'moist' more when it followed an unrelated word with pleasant connotations such as 'paradise'. If people heard a racial slur before 'moist' it didn't seem so bad in comparison. The people who hated poor old 'moist' the most also disliked related words like 'wet' and 'sticky' but didn't have a problem with rhyming words such as 'foist', suggesting that it really is the meaning rather than the sound people are averse to. So there we have it: science says it's you. More:How to relax, according to science More:Here's how much homework is too much homework, according to scienceKeep reading...Show less
There' s a scientific reason why we all cringe at the word ' moist'
Bethan McKernanJun 10, 2015 Why are we always hating on the word 'moist'? There are thousands of people online who are vocal in their dislike. Jimmy Fallon for one thinks its the "worst word ever", while this was How I Met Your Mother's take on it:But it's not moist's fault that it makes you think about bodily functions. A new study from Oberlin College and Trinity University in the US on word aversion has found that it's a question of what our brains associate it with. Psychologist Paul Thibodeau and his colleagues gave participants a set of words and asked them to rate how uncomfortable the words made them feel. Fairly obviously words with sexual overtones provoked the strongest negative feelings when 'moist' followed afterwards. Survey respondents disliked 'moist' more when it followed an unrelated word with pleasant connotations such as 'paradise'. If people heard a racial slur before 'moist' it didn't seem so bad in comparison. The people who hated poor old 'moist' the most also disliked related words like 'wet' and 'sticky' but didn't have a problem with rhyming words such as 'foist', suggesting that it really is the meaning rather than the sound people are averse to. So there we have it: science says it's you. More:How to relax, according to science More:Here's how much homework is too much homework, according to scienceKeep reading...Show less