10 Two-Dollar Words from Disney Movies

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A lot of people think that writing for kids means using only easy words. Well, not so for Disney. In fact, I’d say that some Disney movies can go a long way to increase a child’s vocabulary (or an adult’s, for that matter). I should know because I just looked through the quotes from 17 Disney movies (just the quotes, mind you) and came up with a list of over 200 really good words. With the help of a program that tracked the popularity of words (wordcount), I narrowed that down to 10 words that are more rarely used (and that kids would be less likely to hear otherwise).

10. Decontaminated

“Oh, the ocean. THE OCEAN? AAAH! He hasn’t been decontaminated yet! Jacques!” — Gurgle from Finding Nemo
decontaminated: adj. having removed or neutralized dangerous substances or germs

 9. Derogate

Don't you disrespect me, little man. Don't you derogate or deride. You're in my world now, not your world. And I've got friends on the other side. Dr. Facilier from The Princess & The Frog
derogate: v. to insult, look down on, or belittle

8. Expectorating

I'm especially good at expectorating Gaston Beauty & the beast
expectorate: v. to spit; to clear phlegm from the throat or lungs

7. Lugubriousness

coming your most lugubriousness pain from hercules
lugubriousness: n. the state of looking or sounding sad and gloomy; gloominess (See “Eeyore.”)

6. Majordomo

the little majordomo bird, hippity hop all the way to the birdie boiler banzai the lion king
majordomo: n. a person who oversees day-to-day problems for someone else; the head servant (the modern equivalent could be the personal assistant)

5. Quintessence

the quintessence of perfection that is he theme song guy the emperor's new groove
quintessence: n. the most perfect example of something

4. Reprobate

he's absolutely positively a reprobate amelia gabble aristocats
reprobate: an immoral or unprincipled person (often used affectionately or humorously)

 3. Revile

out there they'll revile you as a monster Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame
revile: v. to criticize harshly in an abusive, angry, and insulting manner

2. Ruminate

I don't think you quite realize what you got here. So why don't you just ruminate whilst I illuminate the possibilities
ruminate: v. to ponder something; to think deeply about something

1. Transmogrified

In fact, you could say he was transmogrified and then busted into a zillion... [Audrey raises her parasol] He's missing too. Cookie Atlantis
transmogrify: v. to transform, especially magically or in an unexpected way (used humorously)

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