Despite all evidence to the contrary, pulchritudinous is used to describe a person of great physical attractiveness. No one is quite sure why this is, because the word *sounds* like
something unpleasant on the bottom of your shoe.
This is possibly due tothe fact that it shares sounds with
words such as sepulchre, repulsive,
cretin, lewd, and pus.
It's a good word to use when you'd like someone to *think* you're insulting them.
It is in no way synonymous with lugubriousness. But it should be.
My, but you're looking pulchritudinous today!
Firt
kid: You're so pulchritudinous.
Second
kid: Mooooooooom, Jimmy's calling me names!
First
kid: *righteously indignant* I gave you a compliment!