The English compound noun cellar door (especially in its British pronunciation of /sɛləˈdɔə/) is commonly used as an example of a word or phrase which is beautiful in terms of phonaesthetics (i.e., sound) with no regard for semantics (i.e., meaning). It has been variously presented either as merely one beautiful instance of many, or as the most beautiful in the English language; as the author's personal choice, that of an eminent scholar's, or of a foreigner who does not speak the language.
Read more about Cellar Door: Phonaesthetics, History, Respellings
Famous quotes containing the words cellar and/or door:
“It is very rare that you meet with obstacles in this world which the humblest man has not faculties to surmount. It is true we may come to a perpendicular precipice, but we need not jump off, nor run our heads against it. A man may jump down his own cellar stairs, or dash his brains out against his chimney, if he is mad.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“That’s what I always say. Love flies out the door when money comes innuendo.”
—Arthur Sheerman, U.S. screenwriter. Norman McLeod. Monkey Business (film)