There are some words that don't get used nearly enough. Today, I share one.
Insouciance
(pronounced "in-soo-see-əns" (the upside-down e is just a neutral, unstressed "uh" sound like anull")
Sounds saucy, and insolent. Like something a cocky teenager might do. Or like Spider-Man, dressed in a tuxedo, making funny quips while fighting a powerful bad guy.
The word even looks smoothly insubordinate. You look at it and say,
"how the heck do I pronounce that? I bet it sounds cool." and then insouciance says,
"yeah, I am cool. And you are probably going to pronounce me wrong. It's 'cus I'm French. Don't worry though, at least you'll look smart when you use me." And then he walks away and you think, "wow, he totally talked to me. I think it was an insult, but for some reason I'm not mad at him. The other girls are totally going to be jealous.
OK, now for the actual meaning: "a casual lack of concern; indifference."
Now go forth and use this word with great aplomb and insouciance!
-I
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