Woody Words

Back in the 1970s the writers of 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' came up with a sketch about Woody and Tinny Words. I don't know whether this was an original concept of theirs or something they'd picked up elsewhere but I'm sure there's an element of truth in it. Some words do sound woody - they have an earthy natural resonance - words like rotund, rump, burble. These are pleasant words you wouldn't mind spending a day with, strolling arm-in-arm through dappled shadow, surrounded by the sounds of leaves rustling, birds trilling.

Ah, now there's the rub - in that last sentence, the theory fell down. Rustling, trilling, are these woody? I think not; both have a strong tinge of tinniness about them yet they describe pleasurable experiences. Admittedly they are not harsh, hard words like spike or bin-liner but they're still on the tinny side. I suppose it works both ways; boom has a good woody feel yet it is often associated with disaster. Doom has a warm sound although this is easily countered by one of its partners, harbinger, which is about as tinny as you can get. Prophet doesn't help, nor laden, nor watch, all words with stannic tendencies.

Right, I've no idea where I'm going with this now so, in the best Monty Python sketch tradition, I'll just........