Today we’re looking back on our educations. Yes we went to school, but here’s the truth: we learned a lot of words from Disney movies. We’re talking SAT-level vocabulary that, as kids, we had never heard before. Unbelievable words, indescribable spelling. It was a whole new world of syntax and today we’re sharing it with you.
“Pachyderm” – Jungle Book
Young us: Wait, so elephants are more than just elephants? And there’s a harder word to pronounce than ‘elephants’?
“Expectorating” – Beauty and the Beast
This word means spitting. We were in awe that there was more than one way to say it (and that Gaston for sure took a bite of out his belt to prove how manly he was). You win, Gaston. Please stop now.
“Consternation” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame
There’s a whole lot of consternation in this movie. BAM! Take that vocabulary test!
“Tranquil” – Mulan
This word gets bonus points for being part of the epic song “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” Donny Osmond + big words + boot camp montages = joy.
“Quid Pro Quo” – The Lion King
This phrase is pretty complex and is in Latin. Scar is clearly not messing around and is classier than we will ever be. Literally meaning “something for something” when we were kids, it meant something closer to “do not mess with that lion.”
“Menagerie” – Aladdin
So, here’s a fun story. One of our editor’s dad’s was in a band in the 1970s called “The Menagerie,” but it wasn’t until Aladdin that said editor fully understood what the word meant. (It took many more years to come to grips with her father’s 70s band.)
“SRO” – Hercules
What can’t the muses do? We didn’t even realize we were learning new phraseology (standing room only) because the tune was so infectious.
“Arpeggios” – The Aristocats
Although we will be forever heartbroken that we never had a cat that could play the piano, we are also forever grateful that Duchess and her kittens jump-started our music education in such a groovy way.
“Nefarious” – The Great Mouse Detective
There are a lot of ways to say ‘evil.’ This may only be one, but it’s a pretty great one. We say it and are instantly transported to a drawing room, wearing a dressing gown, holding a cup of tea, and generally feeling more upper crust.
“Countenance” – Peter Pan
Lesson 1. Do not, under any circumstances, smile at a crocodile. Lesson 2. Seriously, don’t.
“Fathoms” – The Little Mermaid
We learned so much about the ocean from this movie. Including that it’s really deep. And somewhere in it there’s a broken Prince Eric statute that has yet to be found. But when it is, we’ll be there.
What’s a word you heard from the first time in a Disney movie?
