To celebrate the inaugural Havant Literary Festival, The News has launched a fun poll to discover the area's most popular word.
The poll – part of our Spread the Word campaign, which aims to increase literacy levels among local children – also marks an important anniversary.
Festival director Lucy Flannery, who's favourite word is conduit, said: 'This year marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of the poet John Milton who is responsible for introducing over 600 words to the English language.
'Without the great poet there would be no fragrance, padlock or complacency – and no debauchery!
'Words are the basic building blocks of language, able to convey complex and subtle meanings with just a few letters. Where would we be without them?
'We want to know the words you love, and why you love them. We've included some examples to get you thinking.'
From today readers will have a week to e-mail and text printable suggestions for their favourite words and explain why.
A shortlist of 10 words will then be compiled and published for people to vote on before the winning word is announced on Thursday, September 25 – the first day of the four-day literary festival.
The festival features a packed programme of more than 40 events at venues throughout Havant town centre, Leigh Park and Hayling Island.
From September 25 to 28, visitors can choose from talks with famous authors, readings, theatre, book signings, poetry, art, workshops and walks – and they can even meet a poet in a shed.

>> To enter simply e-mail your suggestion to
sion.donovan@thenews.co.uk supplying your favourite word and reason why, name, address, postcode and telephone number.

>> You can also enter by text. Simply send a text message starting with tnword, your favourite word plus your name, house number (or house name), postcode and reason why it's your favourite word to 81800 (maximum 160 characters). Example of message: tnword seaside john smith 1 po2 9sx because it reminds me of holiday.