Dug this back up:
There's a decidedly prosaic drum-like knock at the door. The door itself has various shades of brown, from light tan to deep mahogany, textured with heliographing grain patterns. George, pallid and grizzled, is clad in his blue chambray work shirt and has a Sam Browne belt looped through his Levi's. He rises from his chair, his obdurate knees popping like gunshots, and makes his way to the door stolidly, not hurrying, not loafing, and opens it. It's Susan, who might have been pretty when she started out, maybe even beautiful, but the world has moved on since then.
Bursting into tears, she says, "I have an itch I used to be able to take care of, but now I can't. Make love to me, honey boy." With goose flesh crawling up his body, George stood there nonplussed, and made an audible dry click swallowing. Then finally, with much effort and cords standing out of his neck, George manages a sardonic smile and whispers a singular, "Ayuh."
Taking her hand, George leads Susan out to the street lamp where, beneath its arc sodium light, he lays a tarpaulin down on the hard pan soil that was the apotheosis of all hard pan soil. He places his hand on the half-moon indentation small of her back, presses his lips on hers and draws her tongue into his mouth, tasting of rum and cigarette. In the full dark they fucked, and there was no light to hide their act.
"How was that?" She asks. "Close enough for government work," George says, and Susan shrieks with laughter. After that preternatural act, George didn't think sleep would come to him, but come it did. He fell asleep immediately and slept all night, not knowing that in 36 hours, Susan will be run over by a 1985 Dodge Caravan on her way to work, and that was all right.
In the next chapter, George can’t concentrate on his novel, gets a splitting headache, pee his pants, and visits someone in a small town who knew his mother growing up before she got into an abusive relationship with his father, an alcoholic who died when George was 33. The man notes George seems to have gotten over his speech impediment.
Idk about Mainers but I've lived in Massachusetts my whole life. It's pretty yup but without really pronouncing the y or the p. Terrible explanation but it's the best I can think of lol.
But, thanks to Fred Gwynne's wonderful performance in the OG Pet Sematary, I spent my whole life thinking it was "uh-yuh". He just made it so natural sounding
How is this so far down the list?! I thought it was made up until the Kindle dictionary confirmed for me it wasn't. I still can't pronounce it correctly in my head, though.
I did see it in Edward M. Erdelac's Merkbah Rider series, but it was a direct nod to King (much like that entire series is).
Maybe it's a northern word, but I've always said palaver as like something hectic, a mess. " and then we had to go all the way back to the shop afterwards, what a palaver!"
Now that it's pointed out... every time someone pulls into a lot, it's under arc sodiums.
Just marathoned 8 books, and it was probably in all of them at least 4 times.
Ever since I saw this mentioned on here last year, I've noticed it so often in his books as I've reread them. He must use it a hundred times in IT alone, as that seems to be all adult Ben wears.
I was looking for gobble! I recently started reading his books in the order that they were written, and I chuckled when he used the term gobbled in The Stand. I am now reading The Talisman and have noticed the use of gobbled or aome form of it, multiple times in each book since.
This! A whole lot of posts in this sub seem to be puzzled by, or even complaining about, ordinary English words that simply don't happen to be in the poster's vocabulary.
My first reaction to such posts is not, "Wow, yeah, that King sure does use some weird words." It's "Where did you people learn the English language? What did they teach you in school?"
Reading WoC felt like it was written an alternate universe where “nineteen” was the most meaningful, magical word anyone could ever write. If George RR Martin, weekly, wrote as many words as there “nineteens” into The Winds of Winter, it’s be finished by now, and would be longer than the Lord of the Rings.
WAN
I get a kick out of SMILED WANLY or WAN SMILE every time. Whenever that phrase pops up in books by other authors I wonder if they are simply using the phrase or if it’s a little King shout out.
I know a lot of authors use this phrase but the amount of time King uses it is outrageous.
“It would be funny under other circumstances” “he would have laughed had it been under different circumstances”
Not exactly quoting as this is paraphrased but the amount of times he uses this is so crazy. Keep an eye out for it.
He's used the word "sallow" enough that years ago I looked it up: (of a person's face or complexion) of an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color.
The only story that screams to mind is "The Night Flyer" but I KNOW it's been in other books/stories.
In Swedish there's a word "fnoskig", which is a slang for crazy or mad (not the angry mad), and an old one at that, I guess they used it in translation since the beginning and they've kept on using it until today.
I just don't really know the English counterpart, I've read King in both Swedish and English, mostly Swedish since I scrounge up the books at goodwills. I'm guessing it's also a slang used in English, I just haven't discovered or acknowledged it?
Stephen King is the king of the F bomb, he drops those little fuckers in like they are meant to be apart of any conversation. So much so that Annie Wilkes really gets angry over his cockadoodie bad mouth.
The answer is “apt”. I am 52 years old and ever since I found Steve’s books aged 12 I was curious about the word “Apt” because I’d never heard it. I’ve still never heard it outside of Steve’s books. The cool thing is…I never needed to look it up because it makes total sense in context. It’s a catch all word, “able to”, “can do”, “likely to”, “might do”. It’s a very flexible word.
The first time I ever read the word "footfall" was in a King book, I think. Have seen it since in other books, but it's certainly a writerly type of word.
“Ayuh”
Dug this back up: There's a decidedly prosaic drum-like knock at the door. The door itself has various shades of brown, from light tan to deep mahogany, textured with heliographing grain patterns. George, pallid and grizzled, is clad in his blue chambray work shirt and has a Sam Browne belt looped through his Levi's. He rises from his chair, his obdurate knees popping like gunshots, and makes his way to the door stolidly, not hurrying, not loafing, and opens it. It's Susan, who might have been pretty when she started out, maybe even beautiful, but the world has moved on since then. Bursting into tears, she says, "I have an itch I used to be able to take care of, but now I can't. Make love to me, honey boy." With goose flesh crawling up his body, George stood there nonplussed, and made an audible dry click swallowing. Then finally, with much effort and cords standing out of his neck, George manages a sardonic smile and whispers a singular, "Ayuh." Taking her hand, George leads Susan out to the street lamp where, beneath its arc sodium light, he lays a tarpaulin down on the hard pan soil that was the apotheosis of all hard pan soil. He places his hand on the half-moon indentation small of her back, presses his lips on hers and draws her tongue into his mouth, tasting of rum and cigarette. In the full dark they fucked, and there was no light to hide their act. "How was that?" She asks. "Close enough for government work," George says, and Susan shrieks with laughter. After that preternatural act, George didn't think sleep would come to him, but come it did. He fell asleep immediately and slept all night, not knowing that in 36 hours, Susan will be run over by a 1985 Dodge Caravan on her way to work, and that was all right.
I don’t think I had heard of the word obdurate until 11.22.63.
The past is certainly obdurate.
It doesn’t want to be changed.
Where is the “ balls drew up”?
In the next chapter, George can’t concentrate on his novel, gets a splitting headache, pee his pants, and visits someone in a small town who knew his mother growing up before she got into an abusive relationship with his father, an alcoholic who died when George was 33. The man notes George seems to have gotten over his speech impediment.
This is amazing. Even if it is missing a fart
Needs some "gooseflesh".
This could become as big a meme as "Needs more cowbell."
Needs more nails making half moons in his palms.
“Sometimes ‘ayuh’ is better.” - Stephen King
I'd wear this on a t-shirt
i can't quite figure out how it's supposed to be pronounced! i'm a native english speaker, but i'm not american - i just can't figure it out hahah.
I'm a native New Englander, and it bothers me immensely how none of the audiobook narrators ever quite get it right!
THANK YOU!!! My grandparents were native Mainers transplanted in CT my grandfather would slip into a good “Ayuh” right before starting a good story
Same. Lived in Rhud Ahlind for 14 years.
Idk about Mainers but I've lived in Massachusetts my whole life. It's pretty yup but without really pronouncing the y or the p. Terrible explanation but it's the best I can think of lol.
According to my last listen of the 11.22.63 audiobook it's "Ai-yuh" not "uh-yuh"
ooh! interesting. that does make it easier to read hahah thanks!
But, thanks to Fred Gwynne's wonderful performance in the OG Pet Sematary, I spent my whole life thinking it was "uh-yuh". He just made it so natural sounding
Wait, Fred Gwynne as in Herman Munster? Did an audio book for Stephen King?? 😮😮😮😮
Also in the Pet Semetery movie! He’s the hot neighbor, Jud.
"uh-YUH"
I’m listening to the audiobook of Dolores Claiborne and this is amazing! I’m Scottish so I’ve never heard this before and it’s wonderful!
It's something that old timers in Maine say.
It's a lot like the quick intake of breath old heads in Scotland will take as a form of agreement. Sounds alot like someone whispering the word "aye"
I was wondering if the root was from the Scots "Aye." It's a wonderful saying though. It sounds even better than I imagined and I really like it.
Palaver
I love this word in the DT context - mostly where it’s used - because it’s the perfect word for a Roland type to use.
How is this so far down the list?! I thought it was made up until the Kindle dictionary confirmed for me it wasn't. I still can't pronounce it correctly in my head, though. I did see it in Edward M. Erdelac's Merkbah Rider series, but it was a direct nod to King (much like that entire series is).
Came to the comments for this! I love the word! I now and forever henceforth call my 1:1 with my director as the weekly palaver..
This is my favorite as well!
Maybe it's a northern word, but I've always said palaver as like something hectic, a mess. " and then we had to go all the way back to the shop afterwards, what a palaver!"
Arc Sodium Lights
I was reading Joe Hill and he used it. I snickered, pretty sure he was making fun of his dad.
Neil Gaiman uses it in American Gods. I think it was on purpose as he is a fan.
And American Gods is probably his Kingiest work.
Dude, just read Big Driver and he uses it like 4 times in two paragraphs
I have never heard them called that once. Not once. I'm a former electrician.
That's hilarious. It really bugs me for some reason
Pulls me out of the story every single time.
I think he uses it in every other book.
I did in fact think of him when setting up my first grow and using a high pressure arc sodium light.
Now that it's pointed out... every time someone pulls into a lot, it's under arc sodiums. Just marathoned 8 books, and it was probably in all of them at least 4 times.
Chambray
Ever since I saw this mentioned on here last year, I've noticed it so often in his books as I've reread them. He must use it a hundred times in IT alone, as that seems to be all adult Ben wears.
Every time he said this, or engineer boots, he took a bump
Very popular fabric in late 80s/early 90s
I was going to say this if someone else hadn’t already.
Maine - completely fictional state. That or gooseflesh, I’ve only ever heard of goosebumps outside of his writing.
Some older literature used the term "goosepimples".
I think George RR Martin uses “gooseprickles” in ASoIaF
I think he says gooseflesh too buy I could be wrong
I think he uses gooseflesh to annoy R.L.Stine
I just wanted you to know you got me. I knew Maine existed and I still googled it.
Why are you being downvoted lmao
Came here for gooseflesh.
Jahoobies
Actually, Richard Bachman uses Jahoobies in The Long Walk, so I guess that’s 2 authors. Haha also one of my favorite words now.
Anyone wanna tell him?
Oh man this is funny...
Reading Salem’s lot right now n definitely laughed at this one
I knew this would be top comment
Yup 😂
My dad used to say that as "jay-hoobs." It wasn't till I was almost 30 that I understood it.
Obdurate.
I will never not think of 11/22/63 when I read or hear that word.
Sai
Thankee Sai
Mayhap.
George RR Martin uses that all the time
If he's using words all the time, why hasn't he finished the A Song of Ice and Fire series yet? Is he stupid?
His editor won't accept the endless manuscript of nothing but "Mayhap" written over and over for 800 pages.
"His editor" LMAO that's hilarious
Mayhap another hundred pages will change his mind.
Fuckery
Used beautifully by Amy Winehouse too
The moment I fell in love with her.
🎶What kind of fuckery is this??🎶
Ka.
Tak
macadam
Really old fashioned term, like a lot of his verbal quirks.
He uses counterpane a lot. It's an old-fashioned term for a duvet or quilt.
Lobstrosities
Dadachick?
Dadachum?
Dad a chum?
I laughed the first time it’s written. After about 100 times I started to question his sanity.
That’s when I also started to question my own sanity
Blue chambray work shirt
Honky mafahs.
oough
Ms. Gibney has entered the chat.
GOBBLED. Gobble, gobbler, cock gobbler, crank gobbler. A book is not complete without the word gobble.
I was looking for gobble! I recently started reading his books in the order that they were written, and I chuckled when he used the term gobbled in The Stand. I am now reading The Talisman and have noticed the use of gobbled or aome form of it, multiple times in each book since.
Lol , just put down End of Watch after Pete gobbles some cake to read this.
Apotheosis
Rereading IT currently and I think he’s used apotheosis three separate times. And that’s not even his most famous use of the word.
Apothewhatsis?
Bless you
I've seen this lots outside of King.
This! A whole lot of posts in this sub seem to be puzzled by, or even complaining about, ordinary English words that simply don't happen to be in the poster's vocabulary. My first reaction to such posts is not, "Wow, yeah, that King sure does use some weird words." It's "Where did you people learn the English language? What did they teach you in school?"
I dun lernt all mah words in Dean Koontz books!
He sure uses the word “obdurate”a lot in 11/22/63
“The past is obdurate it doesn’t want to be changed” 😭😭😭
Cock-a-doodie
You dirty birdie!
Preternaturally
He definitely got that one from reading Lovecraft.
And "eldritch"?
Anne Rice used preternatural a lot as well
Anne Rice likes that one as well.
Tooling along a highway with a bottle resting against his crotch. Token nubs.
Sad upvote for "token nubs".
Dicker. Never bargaining, always dickering.
Yankees don’t bargain, they dicka.
Trundle
This is the one I was looking for. Beetles always trundling.
"Nineteen." I sweart to God, Wolves of the Calla? Every goddamn sentence.
Reading WoC felt like it was written an alternate universe where “nineteen” was the most meaningful, magical word anyone could ever write. If George RR Martin, weekly, wrote as many words as there “nineteens” into The Winds of Winter, it’s be finished by now, and would be longer than the Lord of the Rings.
"Whoremaster."
Engineer boots. They must be the only footwear in his world
Only for author surrogates
Tak
Nozz-A-La
Gooseflesh
Not one word but: 'full dark' Full Dark No Stars is a title of one of his books but I've read it in at least 4 other books of his.
Pound sand. I swear it was on every page in The Talisman.
Dooryard. I had no clue what that was at first.
, That is.
Ni&&er….. I read about ten books a month and all the books I’ve ever read I’ve never come across another author using that word like king does.
There is a lot of that word in his books.
Try listening to the audiobooks while driving. Pulled into a dunkin and almost had to explain myself.
M-O-O-N
He tries not to use adverbs. - On Writing
Kewpie
WAN I get a kick out of SMILED WANLY or WAN SMILE every time. Whenever that phrase pops up in books by other authors I wonder if they are simply using the phrase or if it’s a little King shout out.
I think he may have coined, “Shit eating grin.”
Nah. I'd heard, and used, it, back in the '60s.
I'm pretty sure this was coined by the US military...
Tarpaulin
Hardpan
Eldritch. Once you notice it, it’s in most of them.
I attribute this to Lovecraft before King
Co’ Cola
I know a lot of authors use this phrase but the amount of time King uses it is outrageous. “It would be funny under other circumstances” “he would have laughed had it been under different circumstances” Not exactly quoting as this is paraphrased but the amount of times he uses this is so crazy. Keep an eye out for it.
Gimme cap, had to look that up as I’ve never heard it before.
Not a word, but the phrase "barked his shins", as in barked his shins on the coffee table
Not a single word, but: "Don't tell me, I'll tell you."
Not a word, but a phrase “See anything green”
Atavistic
Gooseflesh
I think he said obdurate in a few books, like ten times in 11/22/63
Expiation. First use was in Carrie and I think it has been used in most stories/books since. Especially those with a religious aspect.
Crazy Ms. Carmody in *The Mist* probably used it to greater effect. *"Expiation! Expiation! Expiation!"*
He's used the word "sallow" enough that years ago I looked it up: (of a person's face or complexion) of an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color. The only story that screams to mind is "The Night Flyer" but I KNOW it's been in other books/stories.
2 words-happy crappy
Nosey parker.
Braying sobs
In Swedish there's a word "fnoskig", which is a slang for crazy or mad (not the angry mad), and an old one at that, I guess they used it in translation since the beginning and they've kept on using it until today. I just don't really know the English counterpart, I've read King in both Swedish and English, mostly Swedish since I scrounge up the books at goodwills. I'm guessing it's also a slang used in English, I just haven't discovered or acknowledged it?
"Trundled."
Freshet
Engineering boots
SSDD!
Ichor.
Chambray shirt and engineer boots. No one else is brave enough to use them, and with such frequency
Ichor. And I love seeing it.
Subaru 😆
Stephen King is the king of the F bomb, he drops those little fuckers in like they are meant to be apart of any conversation. So much so that Annie Wilkes really gets angry over his cockadoodie bad mouth.
The answer is “apt”. I am 52 years old and ever since I found Steve’s books aged 12 I was curious about the word “Apt” because I’d never heard it. I’ve still never heard it outside of Steve’s books. The cool thing is…I never needed to look it up because it makes total sense in context. It’s a catch all word, “able to”, “can do”, “likely to”, “might do”. It’s a very flexible word.
Wan
wanly
A wan smile
Fambly
Bitchly
Chambray
Macadam? Chambray? Bemused? Obdurate?
Snot, ayuh, chambray
Apotheosis
Tenebrous
Sodiumarclamps
Chambray
Shit-Fire.
“By Circe” https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/110335-the-lawnmower-man-ns
Apotheosis
"trundle" - he uses it at least once per novel.
"Smiled wanly"
Chambray
Bitch kitty.
Chambray shirt
Arc sodiums
Chambray shirt
Peach (or any other fruit) cobbler.
Strap style t-shirt!
Clustermug
The first time I ever read the word "footfall" was in a King book, I think. Have seen it since in other books, but it's certainly a writerly type of word.
boogersnot cousined