This is really cool!

[mentalisttraceur]

I really like the thought process behind this. Nice idea.

[mentalisttraceur]

I thought of something similar before, because I also faced the problem of "how do I make it maximally easy for myself to manually transcribe arbitrary data", so when I saw this I thought it was really cool that someone else had gone through the same process!

I never actually coded my version, but in my idea I was using the wordlist used by the pwqgen utility (from Openwall's passwdqc). I don't know if you considered that wordlist, but I think you might find that word list more useful for your goals, because it has a few useful properties:

1. All the words are 3-6 characters, so they are quick and easy to type even without autocomplete.
2. The words are relatively distinct from each other, so it should still be easy to not lose your place.
3. There are 4096 words, so you can encode 3 bytes into two words.

In my head I was initially calling the idea "base4096 encoding", just like you called yours "base256". Then to emphasize the human-friendliness and deemphasize any implication of space-efficiency, I decided to call it "human4096 encoding". Then I realized that was pretty English-centric of me, so I'm tempted to call it "english4096". That's nice because it also leaves room for many other "{{ human language name }}4096" encodings. Or maybe some other number than 4096. But 4096 seems like a good sweet spot for distinct words that humans can keep track of which also track byte boundaries with a reasonably regular period.

Biggest differences from your implementation:

• Biggest relative advantage of the english4096 encoding is that the encodings tend to be much smaller.

• english4096 is worse in cases where the auto-complete really dominates, like thumb input through a touchscreen keyboard on a phone.

• english4096 is better when using a hardware keyboard with physical buttons, or when auto-complete-like assistance isn't available.

• Biggest relative disadvantage of the english4096 encoding is the implementation complexity: the lack of 1-1 mapping to bytes.

  (12-bit steps over 8-bit bytes is regular enough that we can still do a simple loop which reads three bytes at a time and has a special case for the two possible short reads. But it's still more code and bit-twiddling than just a simple table lookup.

  Also, english4096 needs one extra word to handle those two cases in the decoder - if this modifier word is present, the word it modifies only encodes the bits of the first of the two bytes it would normally encode bits of. My intuition is to put it in front of the last word rather than behind, to make the logic simpler in the decoder, since that way the decoder doesn't have to "hold back" the bytes for a word until after checking if the next word is a modifier. You could use a modifier character or capitalization to signal this instead of an extra word, but I think capitalization is worse for human-friendliness because it complicates the mental model from the stupidly simple "just type the words you see" with extra details like "you need to be mindful of capitalization/symbols". To someone with attention to detail and computer savvy, the idea of replicating text exactly is automatic, but to a lot of lay people it is not necessarily intuitive that special characters or capitalization can't be just ignored when transcribing.)

Anyway, you've inspired me to actually implement and document english4096 encoding! Cheers!

[ctsrc]

Thank you for the kind words and for the details about your encoding.

I will keep this ticket open, as I might decide to add an implementation of your english4096 idea to my utility as well.

[mentalisttraceur]

Love to hear that! Would be super cool to have multiple compatible implementations!

I'll try to finally publish a precise spec and some test case examples later this week, then.

[mentalisttraceur]

Okay, here's a fuller, precise spec:

0. If you need a name string for the format, use english4096 (all lowercase if possible).

1. The word list is the 4096 words from OpenWall's passwdqc's pwqgen's wordlist, plus "zygote".

   [click to expand full word list]

   aback
   abbey
   abbot
   abide
   ablaze
   able
   aboard
   abode
   abort
   abound
   about
   above
   abroad
   abrupt
   absent
   absorb
   absurd
   abuse
   accent
   accept
   access
   accord
   accuse
   ace
   ache
   aching
   acid
   acidic
   acorn
   acre
   across
   act
   action
   active
   actor
   actual
   acute
   adam
   adapt
   add
   added
   addict
   adept
   adhere
   adjust
   admire
   admit
   adobe
   adopt
   adrift
   adult
   adverb
   advert
   aerial
   afar
   affair
   affect
   afford
   afghan
   afield
   afloat
   afraid
   afresh
   after
   again
   age
   agency
   agenda
   agent
   aghast
   agile
   ago
   agony
   agree
   agreed
   ahead
   aid
   aide
   aim
   air
   airman
   airy
   akin
   alarm
   alaska
   albeit
   album
   alert
   alibi
   alice
   alien
   alight
   align
   alike
   alive
   alkali
   all
   allah
   alley
   allied
   allow
   alloy
   ally
   almond
   almost
   aloft
   alone
   along
   aloof
   aloud
   alpha
   alpine
   also
   altar
   alter
   always
   amaze
   amazon
   amber
   ambush
   amen
   amend
   amid
   amidst
   amiss
   among
   amount
   ample
   amuse
   anchor
   and
   andrew
   anew
   angel
   anger
   angle
   anglo
   angola
   angry
   animal
   ankle
   annoy
   annual
   answer
   anthem
   anti
   antony
   any
   anyhow
   anyway
   apart
   apathy
   apex
   apiece
   appeal
   appear
   apple
   apply
   april
   apron
   arab
   arcade
   arcane
   arch
   arctic
   ardent
   are
   area
   argue
   arid
   arise
   arm
   armful
   armpit
   army
   aroma
   around
   arouse
   array
   arrest
   arrive
   arrow
   arson
   art
   artery
   artful
   artist
   ascent
   ashen
   ashore
   aside
   ask
   asleep
   aspect
   assay
   assent
   assert
   assess
   asset
   assign
   assist
   assume
   assure
   asthma
   astute
   asylum
   ate
   athens
   atlas
   atom
   atomic
   attach
   attack
   attain
   attend
   attic
   auburn
   audio
   audit
   august
   aunt
   auntie
   aura
   austin
   author
   auto
   autumn
   avail
   avenge
   avenue
   avert
   avid
   avoid
   await
   awake
   awaken
   award
   aware
   awash
   away
   awful
   awhile
   axes
   axiom
   axis
   axle
   aye
   babe
   baby
   bach
   back
   backup
   bacon
   bad
   badge
   badly
   bag
   baggy
   bail
   bait
   bake
   baker
   bakery
   bald
   ball
   ballad
   ballet
   ballot
   baltic
   bamboo
   ban
   banal
   banana
   band
   bang
   bank
   bar
   barber
   bare
   barely
   barge
   bark
   barley
   barn
   baron
   barrel
   barren
   basalt
   base
   basic
   basil
   basin
   basis
   basket
   basque
   bass
   bat
   batch
   bath
   baton
   battle
   bay
   beach
   beacon
   beak
   beam
   bean
   bear
   beard
   beast
   beat
   beauty
   become
   bed
   beech
   beef
   beefy
   beep
   beer
   beet
   beetle
   before
   beggar
   begin
   behalf
   behave
   behind
   beige
   being
   belief
   bell
   belly
   belong
   below
   belt
   bench
   bend
   benign
   bent
   berlin
   berry
   berth
   beset
   beside
   best
   bestow
   bet
   beta
   betray
   better
   beware
   beyond
   bias
   bible
   biceps
   bicker
   bid
   big
   bigger
   bike
   bile
   bill
   binary
   bind
   biopsy
   birch
   bird
   birdie
   birth
   bishop
   bit
   bitch
   bite
   bitter
   black
   blade
   blame
   bland
   blast
   blaze
   bleak
   blend
   bless
   blew
   blind
   blink
   blip
   bliss
   blitz
   block
   blond
   blood
   bloody
   bloom
   blot
   blouse
   blow
   blue
   bluff
   blunt
   blur
   blush
   boar
   board
   boast
   boat
   bodily
   body
   bogus
   boil
   bold
   bolt
   bomb
   bombay
   bond
   bone
   bonn
   bonnet
   bonus
   bony
   book
   boom
   boost
   boot
   booth
   booze
   border
   bore
   borrow
   bosom
   boss
   boston
   both
   bother
   bottle
   bottom
   bought
   bounce
   bound
   bounty
   bout
   bovine
   bow
   bowel
   bowl
   box
   boy
   boyish
   brace
   brain
   brainy
   brake
   bran
   branch
   brand
   brandy
   brass
   brave
   bravo
   brazil
   breach
   bread
   break
   breast
   breath
   bred
   breed
   breeze
   brew
   brick
   bride
   bridge
   brief
   bright
   brim
   brine
   bring
   brink
   brisk
   briton
   broad
   broke
   broken
   bronze
   brook
   broom
   brown
   bruise
   brush
   brutal
   brute
   bubble
   buck
   bucket
   buckle
   buddha
   budget
   buffet
   buggy
   build
   bulb
   bulge
   bulk
   bulky
   bull
   bullet
   bully
   bump
   bumpy
   bunch
   bundle
   bunk
   bunny
   burden
   bureau
   burial
   buried
   burly
   burma
   burn
   burnt
   burrow
   burst
   bury
   bus
   bush
   bust
   bustle
   busy
   but
   butler
   butt
   butter
   button
   buy
   buyer
   buzz
   bye
   byte
   cab
   cabin
   cable
   cache
   cactus
   caesar
   cage
   cairo
   cake
   calf
   call
   caller
   calm
   calmly
   came
   camel
   camera
   camp
   campus
   can
   canada
   canal
   canary
   cancel
   cancer
   candid
   candle
   candy
   cane
   canine
   canoe
   canopy
   canvas
   canyon
   cap
   cape
   car
   carbon
   card
   care
   career
   caress
   cargo
   carl
   carnal
   carol
   carp
   carpet
   carrot
   carry
   cart
   cartel
   case
   cash
   cask
   cast
   castle
   casual
   cat
   catch
   cater
   cattle
   caught
   causal
   cause
   cave
   cease
   celery
   cell
   cellar
   celtic
   cement
   censor
   census
   cereal
   cervix
   chain
   chair
   chalk
   chalky
   champ
   chance
   change
   chant
   chaos
   chap
   chapel
   charge
   charm
   chart
   chase
   chat
   cheap
   cheat
   check
   cheek
   cheeky
   cheer
   cheery
   cheese
   chef
   cherry
   chess
   chest
   chew
   chic
   chick
   chief
   child
   chile
   chill
   chilly
   chin
   china
   chip
   choice
   choir
   choose
   chop
   choppy
   chord
   chorus
   chose
   chosen
   christ
   chrome
   chunk
   chunky
   church
   cider
   cigar
   cinema
   circa
   circle
   circus
   cite
   city
   civic
   civil
   clad
   claim
   clammy
   clan
   clap
   clash
   clasp
   class
   clause
   claw
   clay
   clean
   clear
   clergy
   clerk
   clever
   click
   client
   cliff
   climax
   climb
   clinch
   cling
   clinic
   clip
   cloak
   clock
   clone
   close
   closer
   closet
   cloth
   cloud
   cloudy
   clout
   clown
   club
   clue
   clumsy
   clung
   clutch
   coach
   coal
   coarse
   coast
   coat
   coax
   cobalt
   cobra
   coca
   cock
   cocoa
   code
   coffee
   coffin
   cohort
   coil
   coin
   coke
   cold
   collar
   colon
   colony
   colt
   column
   comb
   combat
   come
   comedy
   comic
   commit
   common
   compel
   comply
   concur
   cone
   confer
   congo
   consul
   convex
   convey
   convoy
   cook
   cool
   cope
   copper
   copy
   coral
   cord
   core
   cork
   corn
   corner
   corps
   corpse
   corpus
   cortex
   cosmic
   cosmos
   cost
   costly
   cosy
   cotton
   couch
   cough
   could
   count
   county
   coup
   couple
   coupon
   course
   court
   cousin
   cove
   cover
   covert
   cow
   coward
   cowboy
   crab
   crack
   cradle
   craft
   crafty
   crag
   crane
   crap
   crash
   crate
   crater
   crawl
   crazy
   creak
   cream
   creamy
   create
   credit
   creed
   creek
   creep
   creepy
   crept
   crest
   crew
   cried
   crime
   crisis
   crisp
   critic
   croft
   crook
   crop
   cross
   crow
   crowd
   crown
   crude
   cruel
   cruise
   crunch
   crush
   crust
   crux
   cry
   crypt
   cuba
   cube
   cubic
   cuckoo
   cuff
   cult
   cup
   curb
   cure
   curfew
   curl
   curry
   curse
   cursor
   curve
   custom
   cut
   cute
   cycle
   cyclic
   cynic
   cyprus
   czech
   dad
   daddy
   dagger
   daily
   dairy
   daisy
   dale
   dallas
   damage
   damn
   damp
   dampen
   dance
   danger
   danish
   dare
   dark
   darken
   darwin
   dash
   data
   date
   david
   dawn
   day
   dead
   deadly
   deaf
   deal
   dealer
   dean
   dear
   death
   debate
   debit
   debris
   debt
   debtor
   decade
   decay
   decent
   decide
   deck
   decor
   decree
   deduce
   deed
   deep
   deeply
   deer
   defeat
   defect
   defend
   defer
   define
   defy
   degree
   deity
   delay
   delete
   delhi
   delta
   demand
   demise
   demo
   demon
   demure
   denial
   denote
   dense
   dental
   deny
   depart
   depend
   depict
   deploy
   depot
   depth
   deputy
   derby
   derive
   desert
   design
   desire
   desist
   desk
   detail
   detect
   deter
   detest
   detour
   device
   devil
   devise
   devoid
   devote
   devour
   dial
   diana
   diary
   dice
   dictum
   did
   die
   diesel
   diet
   differ
   digest
   digit
   dine
   dinghy
   dinner
   diode
   dire
   direct
   dirt
   dirty
   disc
   disco
   dish
   disk
   dismal
   dispel
   ditch
   dive
   divert
   divide
   divine
   dizzy
   docile
   dock
   doctor
   dog
   dogma
   dole
   doll
   dollar
   dolly
   domain
   dome
   domino
   donate
   done
   donkey
   donor
   doom
   door
   dorsal
   dose
   double
   doubt
   dough
   dour
   dove
   down
   dozen
   draft
   drag
   dragon
   drain
   drama
   drank
   draw
   drawer
   dread
   dream
   dreary
   dress
   drew
   dried
   drift
   drill
   drink
   drip
   drive
   driver
   drop
   drove
   drown
   drug
   drum
   drunk
   dry
   dual
   dublin
   duck
   duct
   due
   duel
   duet
   duke
   dull
   duly
   dumb
   dummy
   dump
   dune
   dung
   duress
   during
   dusk
   dust
   dusty
   dutch
   duty
   dwarf
   dwell
   dyer
   dying
   dynamo
   each
   eager
   eagle
   ear
   earl
   early
   earn
   earth
   ease
   easel
   easily
   east
   easter
   easy
   eat
   eaten
   eater
   echo
   eddy
   eden
   edge
   edible
   edict
   edit
   editor
   edward
   eerie
   eerily
   effect
   effort
   egg
   ego
   eight
   eighth
   eighty
   either
   elbow
   elder
   eldest
   elect
   eleven
   elicit
   elite
   else
   elude
   elves
   embark
   emblem
   embryo
   emerge
   emit
   empire
   employ
   empty
   enable
   enamel
   end
   endure
   enemy
   energy
   engage
   engine
   enjoy
   enlist
   enough
   ensure
   entail
   enter
   entire
   entry
   envoy
   envy
   enzyme
   epic
   epoch
   equal
   equate
   equip
   equity
   era
   erase
   erect
   eric
   erode
   erotic
   errant
   error
   escape
   escort
   essay
   essex
   estate
   esteem
   ethic
   ethnic
   europe
   evade
   eve
   even
   event
   ever
   every
   evict
   evil
   evoke
   evolve
   exact
   exam
   exceed
   excel
   except
   excess
   excise
   excite
   excuse
   exempt
   exert
   exile
   exist
   exit
   exodus
   exotic
   expand
   expect
   expert
   expire
   export
   expose
   extend
   extra
   eye
   eyed
   fabric
   face
   facial
   fact
   factor
   fade
   fail
   faint
   fair
   fairly
   fairy
   faith
   fake
   falcon
   fall
   false
   falter
   fame
   family
   famine
   famous
   fan
   fancy
   far
   farce
   fare
   farm
   farmer
   fast
   fasten
   faster
   fat
   fatal
   fate
   father
   fatty
   fault
   faulty
   fauna
   fear
   feast
   feat
   fed
   fee
   feeble
   feed
   feel
   feet
   fell
   fellow
   felt
   female
   fence
   fend
   ferry
   fetal
   fetch
   feudal
   fever
   few
   fewer
   fiance
   fiasco
   fiddle
   field
   fiend
   fierce
   fiery
   fifth
   fifty
   fig
   fight
   figure
   file
   fill
   filled
   filler
   film
   filter
   filth
   filthy
   final
   finale
   find
   fine
   finger
   finish
   finite
   fire
   firm
   firmly
   first
   fiscal
   fish
   fisher
   fist
   fit
   fitful
   five
   fix
   flag
   flair
   flak
   flame
   flank
   flap
   flare
   flash
   flask
   flat
   flaw
   fled
   flee
   fleece
   fleet
   flesh
   fleshy
   flew
   flick
   flight
   flimsy
   flint
   flirt
   float
   flock
   flood
   floor
   floppy
   flora
   floral
   flour
   flow
   flower
   fluent
   fluffy
   fluid
   flung
   flurry
   flush
   flute
   flux
   fly
   flyer
   foal
   foam
   focal
   focus
   fog
   foil
   fold
   folk
   follow
   folly
   fond
   fondly
   font
   food
   fool
   foot
   for
   forbid
   force
   ford
   forest
   forge
   forget
   fork
   form
   formal
   format
   former
   fort
   forth
   forty
   forum
   fossil
   foster
   foul
   found
   four
   fourth
   fox
   foyer
   frail
   frame
   franc
   france
   frank
   fraud
   free
   freed
   freely
   freer
   freeze
   french
   frenzy
   fresh
   friar
   friday
   fridge
   fried
   friend
   fright
   fringe
   frock
   frog
   from
   front
   frost
   frosty
   frown
   frozen
   frugal
   fruit
   fudge
   fuel
   fulfil
   full
   fully
   fun
   fund
   funny
   fur
   furry
   fury
   fuse
   fusion
   fuss
   fussy
   futile
   future
   fuzzy
   gadget
   gag
   gain
   gala
   galaxy
   gale
   gall
   galley
   gallon
   gallop
   gamble
   game
   gamma
   gandhi
   gang
   gap
   garage
   garden
   garlic
   gas
   gasp
   gate
   gather
   gauge
   gaul
   gaunt
   gave
   gay
   gaze
   gear
   geese
   gemini
   gender
   gene
   geneva
   genial
   genius
   genre
   gentle
   gently
   gentry
   genus
   george
   german
   get
   ghetto
   ghost
   giant
   gift
   giggle
   gill
   gilt
   ginger
   girl
   give
   given
   glad
   glade
   glance
   gland
   glare
   glass
   glassy
   gleam
   glee
   glide
   global
   globe
   gloom
   gloomy
   gloria
   glory
   gloss
   glossy
   glove
   glow
   glue
   goal
   goat
   god
   gold
   golden
   golf
   gone
   gong
   good
   goose
   gorge
   gory
   gosh
   gospel
   gossip
   got
   gothic
   govern
   gown
   grab
   grace
   grade
   grain
   grand
   grant
   grape
   graph
   grasp
   grass
   grassy
   grate
   grave
   gravel
   gravy
   gray
   grease
   greasy
   great
   greece
   greed
   greedy
   greek
   green
   greet
   grew
   grey
   grid
   grief
   grill
   grim
   grin
   grind
   grip
   grit
   gritty
   groan
   groin
   groom
   groove
   gross
   ground
   group
   grove
   grow
   grown
   growth
   grudge
   grunt
   guard
   guess
   guest
   guide
   guild
   guilt
   guilty
   guise
   guitar
   gulf
   gully
   gun
   gunman
   guru
   gut
   guy
   gypsy
   habit
   hack
   had
   hague
   hail
   hair
   hairy
   haiti
   hale
   half
   hall
   halt
   hamlet
   hammer
   hand
   handle
   handy
   hang
   hangar
   hanoi
   happen
   happy
   harass
   hard
   harder
   hardly
   hare
   harem
   harm
   harp
   harry
   harsh
   has
   hash
   hassle
   haste
   hasten
   hasty
   hat
   hatch
   hate
   haul
   haunt
   havana
   have
   haven
   havoc
   hawaii
   hawk
   hazard
   haze
   hazel
   hazy
   head
   heal
   health
   heap
   hear
   heard
   heart
   hearth
   hearty
   heat
   heater
   heaven
   heavy
   hebrew
   heck
   hectic
   hedge
   heel
   hefty
   height
   heir
   held
   helium
   helix
   hell
   hello
   helm
   helmet
   help
   hemp
   hence
   henry
   her
   herald
   herb
   herd
   here
   hereby
   hermes
   hernia
   hero
   heroic
   heroin
   hey
   heyday
   hick
   hidden
   hide
   high
   higher
   highly
   hill
   him
   hind
   hindu
   hint
   hippy
   hire
   his
   hiss
   hit
   hitler
   hive
   hoard
   hoarse
   hobby
   hockey
   hold
   holder
   hole
   hollow
   holly
   holy
   home
   honest
   honey
   hood
   hook
   hope
   horn
   horny
   horrid
   horror
   horse
   hose
   host
   hot
   hotel
   hound
   hour
   house
   hover
   how
   huge
   hull
   human
   humane
   humble
   humid
   hung
   hunger
   hungry
   hunt
   hurdle
   hurl
   hurry
   hurt
   hush
   hut
   hybrid
   hymn
   hyphen
   ice
   icing
   icon
   idaho
   idea
   ideal
   idiom
   idiot
   idle
   idly
   idol
   ignite
   ignore
   ill
   image
   immune
   impact
   imply
   import
   impose
   inca
   incest
   inch
   income
   incur
   indeed
   index
   india
   indian
   indoor
   induce
   inept
   inert
   infant
   infect
   infer
   influx
   inform
   inject
   injure
   injury
   inlaid
   inland
   inlet
   inmate
   inn
   innate
   inner
   input
   insane
   insect
   insert
   inset
   inside
   insist
   insult
   insure
   intact
   intake
   intend
   inter
   into
   invade
   invent
   invest
   invite
   invoke
   inward
   iowa
   iran
   iraq
   irish
   iron
   ironic
   irony
   isaac
   isabel
   islam
   island
   isle
   israel
   issue
   italy
   itch
   item
   itself
   ivan
   ivory
   jack
   jacket
   jacob
   jade
   jaguar
   jail
   james
   japan
   jargon
   java
   jaw
   jazz
   jeep
   jelly
   jerky
   jersey
   jest
   jesus
   jet
   jewel
   jewish
   jim
   job
   jock
   jockey
   john
   join
   joint
   joke
   jolly
   jolt
   jordan
   joseph
   joy
   joyful
   joyous
   judas
   judge
   judy
   juice
   juicy
   july
   jumble
   jumbo
   jump
   june
   jungle
   junior
   junk
   junta
   jury
   just
   kansas
   karate
   karl
   keel
   keen
   keep
   keeper
   kenya
   kept
   kernel
   kettle
   key
   khaki
   kick
   kid
   kidnap
   kidney
   kill
   killer
   kin
   kind
   kindly
   king
   kiss
   kite
   kitten
   knack
   knee
   knew
   knife
   knight
   knit
   knob
   knock
   knot
   know
   known
   koran
   korea
   kuwait
   label
   lace
   lack
   lad
   ladder
   laden
   lady
   lagoon
   laity
   lake
   lamb
   lame
   lamp
   lance
   land
   lane
   laos
   lap
   lapse
   large
   larval
   laser
   last
   latch
   late
   lately
   latent
   later
   latest
   latin
   latter
   laugh
   launch
   lava
   lavish
   law
   lawful
   lawn
   lawyer
   lay
   layer
   layman
   lazy
   lead
   leader
   leaf
   leafy
   league
   leak
   leaky
   lean
   leap
   learn
   lease
   leash
   least
   leave
   led
   ledge
   left
   leg
   legacy
   legal
   legend
   legion
   lemon
   lend
   length
   lens
   lent
   leo
   leper
   lesion
   less
   lessen
   lesser
   lesson
   lest
   let
   lethal
   letter
   level
   lever
   levy
   lewis
   liable
   liar
   libel
   libya
   lice
   lick
   lid
   lie
   lied
   life
   lift
   light
   like
   likely
   lima
   limb
   lime
   limit
   limp
   line
   linear
   linen
   linger
   link
   lion
   lip
   liquid
   liquor
   lisbon
   list
   listen
   lit
   live
   lively
   liver
   liz
   lizard
   load
   loaf
   loan
   lobby
   lobe
   local
   locate
   lock
   locus
   lodge
   loft
   lofty
   log
   logic
   logo
   london
   lone
   lonely
   long
   longer
   look
   loop
   loose
   loosen
   loot
   lord
   lorry
   lose
   loss
   lost
   lot
   lotion
   lotus
   loud
   loudly
   lounge
   lousy
   louvre
   love
   lovely
   lover
   low
   lower
   lowest
   loyal
   lucid
   luck
   lucky
   lucy
   lull
   lump
   lumpy
   lunacy
   lunar
   lunch
   lung
   lure
   lurid
   lush
   lust
   lute
   luther
   luxury
   lying
   lymph
   lynch
   lyric
   macho
   macro
   mad
   madam
   madame
   made
   madrid
   mafia
   magic
   magma
   magnet
   magnum
   maid
   maiden
   mail
   main
   mainly
   major
   make
   maker
   male
   malice
   mall
   malt
   malta
   mammal
   manage
   mane
   mania
   manic
   manner
   manor
   mantle
   manual
   manure
   many
   map
   maple
   marble
   march
   mare
   margin
   maria
   marina
   mark
   market
   marry
   mars
   marsh
   martin
   martyr
   mary
   mask
   mason
   mass
   mast
   master
   match
   mate
   matrix
   matter
   mature
   maxim
   may
   maya
   maybe
   mayor
   maze
   mead
   meadow
   meal
   mean
   meant
   meat
   mecca
   medal
   media
   median
   medic
   medium
   meet
   mellow
   melody
   melon
   melt
   member
   memo
   memory
   menace
   mend
   mental
   mentor
   menu
   mercy
   mere
   merely
   merge
   merger
   merit
   merry
   mesh
   mess
   messy
   met
   metal
   meter
   method
   methyl
   metric
   metro
   mexico
   miami
   mickey
   mid
   midday
   middle
   midst
   midway
   might
   mighty
   milan
   mild
   mildew
   mile
   milk
   milky
   mill
   mimic
   mince
   mind
   mine
   mini
   mink
   minor
   mint
   minus
   minute
   mirror
   mirth
   misery
   miss
   mist
   misty
   mite
   mix
   moan
   moat
   mobile
   mock
   mode
   model
   modem
   modern
   modest
   modify
   module
   moist
   molar
   mole
   molten
   moment
   monaco
   monday
   money
   monies
   monk
   monkey
   month
   mood
   moody
   moon
   moor
   moral
   morale
   morbid
   more
   morgue
   mortal
   mortar
   mosaic
   moscow
   moses
   moslem
   mosque
   moss
   most
   mostly
   moth
   mother
   motion
   motive
   motor
   mould
   mount
   mourn
   mouse
   mouth
   move
   movie
   mrs
   much
   muck
   mucus
   mud
   muddle
   muddy
   mule
   mummy
   munich
   murder
   murky
   murmur
   muscle
   museum
   music
   muslim
   mussel
   must
   mutant
   mute
   mutiny
   mutter
   mutton
   mutual
   muzzle
   myopic
   myriad
   myself
   mystic
   myth
   nadir
   nail
   naked
   name
   namely
   nape
   napkin
   naples
   narrow
   nasal
   nasty
   nation
   native
   nature
   nausea
   naval
   nave
   navy
   nazi
   near
   nearer
   nearly
   neat
   neatly
   neck
   need
   needle
   needy
   negate
   neon
   nepal
   nephew
   nerve
   nest
   neural
   never
   newark
   newly
   next
   nice
   nicely
   niche
   nickel
   niece
   night
   nile
   nimble
   nine
   ninety
   ninth
   nobel
   noble
   nobody
   node
   noise
   noisy
   non
   none
   noon
   nor
   norm
   normal
   north
   norway
   nose
   nosy
   not
   note
   notice
   notify
   notion
   nought
   noun
   novel
   novice
   now
   nozzle
   nude
   null
   numb
   number
   nurse
   nylon
   nymph
   oak
   oasis
   oath
   obese
   obey
   object
   oblige
   oboe
   obtain
   occult
   occupy
   occur
   ocean
   octave
   odd
   off
   offend
   offer
   office
   offset
   often
   ohio
   oil
   oily
   okay
   old
   older
   oldest
   olive
   omega
   omen
   omit
   once
   one
   onion
   only
   onset
   onto
   onus
   onward
   opaque
   open
   openly
   opera
   opium
   oppose
   optic
   option
   oracle
   oral
   orange
   orbit
   orchid
   ordeal
   order
   organ
   orgasm
   orient
   origin
   ornate
   orphan
   oscar
   oslo
   other
   otter
   ought
   ounce
   our
   out
   outer
   output
   outset
   oval
   oven
   over
   overt
   owe
   owing
   owl
   own
   owner
   oxford
   oxide
   oxygen
   oyster
   ozone
   pace
   pack
   packet
   pact
   paddle
   paddy
   pagan
   page
   paid
   pain
   paint
   pair
   palace
   pale
   palm
   panama
   panel
   panic
   papa
   papal
   paper
   parade
   parcel
   pardon
   parent
   paris
   parish
   park
   parody
   parrot
   part
   partly
   party
   pascal
   pass
   past
   paste
   pastel
   pastor
   pastry
   pat
   patch
   patent
   path
   patio
   patrol
   patron
   paul
   pause
   pave
   pawn
   pay
   peace
   peach
   peak
   pear
   pearl
   pedal
   peel
   peer
   peking
   pelvic
   pelvis
   pen
   penal
   pence
   pencil
   penis
   penny
   people
   pepper
   per
   perch
   peril
   period
   perish
   permit
   person
   peru
   pest
   peter
   petite
   petrol
   petty
   phase
   philip
   phone
   photo
   phrase
   piano
   pick
   picket
   picnic
   pie
   piece
   pier
   pierce
   piety
   pig
   pigeon
   piggy
   pike
   pile
   pill
   pillar
   pillow
   pilot
   pin
   pinch
   pine
   pink
   pint
   pious
   pipe
   pirate
   piss
   pistol
   piston
   pit
   pitch
   pity
   pivot
   pixel
   pizza
   place
   placid
   plague
   plain
   plan
   plane
   planet
   plank
   plant
   plasma
   plate
   play
   player
   plea
   plead
   please
   pledge
   plenty
   plenum
   plight
   plot
   ploy
   plug
   plum
   plump
   plunge
   plural
   plus
   plush
   pocket
   poem
   poet
   poetic
   poetry
   point
   poison
   poland
   polar
   pole
   police
   policy
   polish
   polite
   poll
   pollen
   polo
   pond
   ponder
   pony
   pool
   poor
   poorly
   pop
   pope
   poppy
   pore
   pork
   port
   portal
   pose
   posh
   post
   postal
   pot
   potato
   potent
   pouch
   pound
   pour
   powder
   power
   prague
   praise
   pray
   prayer
   preach
   prefer
   prefix
   press
   pretty
   price
   pride
   priest
   primal
   prime
   prince
   print
   prior
   prism
   prison
   privy
   prize
   probe
   profit
   prompt
   prone
   proof
   propel
   proper
   prose
   proton
   proud
   prove
   proven
   proxy
   prune
   psalm
   pseudo
   psyche
   pub
   public
   puff
   pull
   pulp
   pulpit
   pulsar
   pulse
   pump
   punch
   punish
   punk
   pupil
   puppet
   puppy
   pure
   purely
   purge
   purify
   purple
   purse
   pursue
   push
   pushy
   pussy
   put
   putt
   puzzle
   quaint
   quake
   quarry
   quartz
   quay
   quebec
   queen
   queer
   query
   quest
   queue
   quick
   quid
   quiet
   quilt
   quirk
   quit
   quite
   quiver
   quiz
   quota
   quote
   rabbit
   race
   racial
   racism
   rack
   racket
   radar
   radio
   radish
   radius
   raffle
   raft
   rage
   raid
   rail
   rain
   rainy
   raise
   rally
   ramp
   random
   range
   rank
   ransom
   rape
   rapid
   rare
   rarely
   rarity
   rash
   rat
   rate
   rather
   ratify
   ratio
   rattle
   rave
   raven
   raw
   ray
   razor
   reach
   react
   read
   reader
   ready
   real
   really
   realm
   reap
   rear
   reason
   rebel
   recall
   recent
   recess
   recipe
   reckon
   record
   recoup
   rector
   red
   redeem
   reduce
   reed
   reef
   refer
   reform
   refuge
   refuse
   regal
   regard
   regent
   regime
   region
   regret
   reign
   reject
   relate
   relax
   relay
   relic
   relief
   relish
   rely
   remain
   remark
   remedy
   remind
   remit
   remote
   remove
   renal
   render
   rent
   rental
   repair
   repeal
   repeat
   repent
   reply
   report
   rescue
   resent
   reside
   resign
   resin
   resist
   resort
   rest
   result
   resume
   retail
   retain
   retina
   retire
   return
   reveal
   review
   revise
   revive
   revolt
   reward
   rex
   rhine
   rhino
   rhyme
   rhythm
   ribbon
   rice
   rich
   rick
   rid
   ride
   rider
   ridge
   rife
   rifle
   rift
   right
   rigid
   ring
   rinse
   riot
   ripe
   ripen
   ripple
   rise
   risk
   risky
   rite
   ritual
   ritz
   rival
   river
   road
   roar
   roast
   rob
   robe
   robert
   robin
   robot
   robust
   rock
   rocket
   rocky
   rod
   rode
   rodent
   rogue
   role
   roll
   roman
   rome
   roof
   room
   root
   rope
   rosa
   rose
   rosy
   rotate
   rotor
   rotten
   rouge
   rough
   round
   route
   rover
   row
   royal
   rubble
   ruby
   rudder
   rude
   rugby
   ruin
   rule
   ruler
   rumble
   rump
   run
   rune
   rung
   runway
   rural
   rush
   russia
   rust
   rustic
   rusty
   sack
   sacred
   sad
   saddle
   sadism
   sadly
   safari
   safe
   safely
   safer
   safety
   saga
   sage
   sahara
   said
   sail
   sailor
   saint
   sake
   salad
   salary
   sale
   saline
   saliva
   salmon
   saloon
   salt
   salty
   salute
   sam
   same
   sample
   sand
   sandy
   sane
   sash
   satan
   satin
   satire
   saturn
   sauce
   saudi
   sauna
   savage
   save
   saxon
   say
   scale
   scalp
   scan
   scant
   scar
   scarce
   scare
   scarf
   scary
   scene
   scenic
   scent
   school
   scope
   score
   scorn
   scot
   scotch
   scout
   scrap
   scream
   screen
   screw
   script
   scroll
   scrub
   scum
   sea
   seal
   seam
   seaman
   search
   season
   seat
   second
   secret
   sect
   sector
   secure
   see
   seed
   seeing
   seek
   seem
   seize
   seldom
   select
   self
   sell
   seller
   semi
   senate
   send
   senile
   senior
   sense
   sensor
   sent
   sentry
   seoul
   sequel
   serene
   serial
   series
   sermon
   serum
   serve
   server
   set
   settle
   seven
   severe
   sewage
   sex
   sexual
   sexy
   shabby
   shade
   shadow
   shady
   shaft
   shaggy
   shah
   shake
   shaky
   shall
   sham
   shame
   shape
   share
   shark
   sharp
   shawl
   she
   shear
   sheen
   sheep
   sheer
   sheet
   shelf
   shell
   sherry
   shield
   shift
   shine
   shiny
   ship
   shire
   shirt
   shit
   shiver
   shock
   shoe
   shook
   shoot
   shop
   shore
   short
   shot
   should
   shout
   show
   shower
   shrank
   shrewd
   shrill
   shrimp
   shrine
   shrink
   shrub
   shrug
   shut
   shy
   shyly
   sick
   side
   siege
   sigh
   sight
   sigma
   sign
   signal
   silent
   silk
   silken
   silky
   sill
   silly
   silver
   simple
   simply
   since
   sinful
   sing
   singer
   single
   sink
   sir
   siren
   sister
   sit
   site
   six
   sixth
   sixty
   size
   sketch
   skill
   skin
   skinny
   skip
   skirt
   skull
   sky
   slab
   slack
   slain
   slam
   slang
   slap
   slate
   slater
   slave
   sleek
   sleep
   sleepy
   sleeve
   slice
   slick
   slid
   slide
   slight
   slim
   slimy
   sling
   slip
   slit
   slogan
   slope
   sloppy
   slot
   slow
   slowly
   slug
   slum
   slump
   smack
   small
   smart
   smash
   smear
   smell
   smelly
   smelt
   smile
   smoke
   smoky
   smooth
   smug
   snack
   snail
   snake
   snap
   snatch
   sneak
   snow
   snowy
   snug
   soak
   soap
   sober
   soccer
   social
   sock
   socket
   soda
   sodden
   sodium
   sofa
   soft
   soften
   softly
   soggy
   soil
   solar
   sold
   sole
   solely
   solemn
   solid
   solo
   solve
   somali
   some
   son
   sonar
   sonata
   song
   sonic
   sony
   soon
   sooner
   soot
   soothe
   sordid
   sore
   sorrow
   sorry
   sort
   soul
   sound
   soup
   sour
   source
   soviet
   space
   spade
   spain
   span
   spare
   spark
   sparse
   spasm
   spat
   spate
   speak
   spear
   speech
   speed
   speedy
   spell
   spend
   sperm
   sphere
   spice
   spicy
   spider
   spiky
   spill
   spin
   spinal
   spine
   spiral
   spirit
   spit
   spite
   splash
   split
   spoil
   spoke
   sponge
   spoon
   sport
   spot
   spouse
   spray
   spread
   spree
   spring
   sprint
   spur
   squad
   square
   squash
   squat
   squid
   stab
   stable
   stack
   staff
   stage
   stain
   stair
   stake
   stale
   stalin
   stall
   stamp
   stance
   stand
   staple
   star
   starch
   stare
   stark
   start
   starve
   state
   static
   statue
   status
   stay
   stead
   steady
   steak
   steal
   steam
   steel
   steep
   steer
   stem
   stench
   step
   stereo
   stern
   stew
   stick
   sticky
   stiff
   stifle
   stigma
   still
   sting
   stint
   stir
   stitch
   stock
   stocky
   stone
   stony
   stool
   stop
   store
   storm
   stormy
   story
   stout
   stove
   strain
   strait
   strand
   strap
   strata
   straw
   stray
   streak
   stream
   street
   stress
   strict
   stride
   strife
   strike
   string
   strip
   strive
   stroke
   stroll
   strong
   stud
   studio
   study
   stuff
   stuffy
   stunt
   stupid
   sturdy
   style
   submit
   subtle
   subtly
   suburb
   such
   suck
   sudan
   sudden
   sue
   suez
   suffer
   sugar
   suit
   suite
   suitor
   sullen
   sultan
   sum
   summer
   summit
   summon
   sun
   sunday
   sunny
   sunset
   super
   superb
   supper
   supple
   supply
   sure
   surely
   surf
   surge
   survey
   suture
   swamp
   swan
   swap
   swarm
   sway
   swear
   sweat
   sweaty
   sweden
   sweep
   sweet
   swell
   swift
   swim
   swine
   swing
   swirl
   swiss
   switch
   sword
   swore
   sydney
   symbol
   synod
   syntax
   syria
   syrup
   system
   table
   tablet
   taboo
   tacit
   tackle
   tact
   tactic
   tail
   tailor
   taiwan
   take
   tale
   talent
   talk
   tall
   tally
   tame
   tandem
   tangle
   tank
   tap
   tape
   target
   tariff
   tart
   tarzan
   task
   taste
   tasty
   tattoo
   taurus
   taut
   tavern
   tax
   taxi
   tea
   teach
   teak
   team
   tear
   tease
   tech
   teeth
   tehran
   tell
   temper
   temple
   tempo
   tempt
   ten
   tenant
   tend
   tender
   tendon
   tennis
   tenor
   tense
   tensor
   tent
   tenth
   tenure
   teresa
   term
   terror
   test
   texas
   text
   than
   thank
   that
   the
   their
   them
   theme
   then
   thence
   theory
   there
   these
   thesis
   they
   thick
   thief
   thigh
   thin
   thing
   think
   third
   thirst
   thirty
   this
   thomas
   thorn
   those
   though
   thread
   threat
   three
   thrill
   thrive
   throat
   throne
   throng
   throw
   thrust
   thud
   thug
   thumb
   thus
   thyme
   tibet
   tick
   ticket
   tidal
   tide
   tidy
   tie
   tier
   tiger
   tight
   tile
   till
   tilt
   timber
   time
   timid
   tin
   tiny
   tip
   tissue
   title
   toad
   toast
   today
   toilet
   token
   tokyo
   told
   toll
   tom
   tomato
   tomb
   tonal
   tone
   tongue
   tonic
   too
   took
   tool
   tooth
   top
   topaz
   topic
   torch
   torque
   torso
   tort
   toss
   total
   touch
   tough
   tour
   toward
   towel
   tower
   town
   toxic
   toxin
   trace
   track
   tract
   trade
   tragic
   trail
   train
   trait
   tram
   trance
   trap
   trauma
   travel
   tray
   tread
   treat
   treaty
   treble
   tree
   trek
   tremor
   trench
   trend
   trendy
   trial
   tribal
   tribe
   trick
   tricky
   tried
   trifle
   trim
   trio
   trip
   triple
   troop
   trophy
   trot
   trough
   trout
   truce
   truck
   true
   truly
   trunk
   trust
   truth
   try
   tsar
   tube
   tumble
   tuna
   tundra
   tune
   tung
   tunic
   tunnel
   turban
   turf
   turk
   turkey
   turn
   turtle
   tutor
   tweed
   twelve
   twenty
   twice
   twin
   twist
   two
   tycoon
   tying
   type
   tyrant
   uganda
   ugly
   ulcer
   ultra
   umpire
   unable
   uncle
   under
   uneasy
   unfair
   unify
   union
   unique
   unit
   unite
   unity
   unlike
   unrest
   unruly
   until
   update
   upheld
   uphill
   uphold
   upon
   uproar
   upset
   upshot
   uptake
   upturn
   upward
   urban
   urge
   urgent
   urging
   urine
   usable
   usage
   use
   useful
   user
   usual
   uterus
   utmost
   utter
   vacant
   vacuum
   vagina
   vague
   vain
   valet
   valid
   valley
   value
   valve
   van
   vanish
   vanity
   vary
   vase
   vast
   vat
   vault
   vector
   veil
   vein
   velvet
   vendor
   veneer
   venice
   venom
   vent
   venue
   venus
   verb
   verbal
   verge
   verify
   verity
   verse
   versus
   very
   vessel
   vest
   veto
   via
   viable
   vicar
   vice
   victim
   victor
   video
   vienna
   view
   vigil
   viking
   vile
   villa
   vine
   vinyl
   viola
   violet
   violin
   viral
   virgin
   virgo
   virtue
   virus
   visa
   vision
   visit
   visual
   vital
   vivid
   vocal
   vodka
   vogue
   voice
   void
   volley
   volume
   vomit
   vote
   vowel
   voyage
   vulgar
   wade
   wage
   waist
   wait
   waiter
   wake
   walk
   walker
   wall
   wallet
   walnut
   wander
   want
   war
   warden
   warm
   warmth
   warn
   warp
   warsaw
   wary
   was
   wash
   wasp
   waste
   watch
   water
   watery
   wave
   way
   weak
   weaken
   wealth
   weapon
   wear
   weary
   wedge
   wee
   weed
   week
   weekly
   weep
   weight
   weird
   well
   were
   west
   wet
   whale
   wharf
   what
   wheat
   wheel
   when
   whence
   where
   which
   whiff
   whig
   while
   whim
   whip
   whisky
   white
   who
   whole
   wholly
   whom
   whore
   whose
   why
   wide
   widely
   widen
   wider
   widow
   width
   wife
   wild
   wildly
   wilful
   will
   willow
   win
   wind
   window
   windy
   wine
   wing
   wink
   winner
   winter
   wipe
   wire
   wisdom
   wise
   wish
   wit
   witch
   with
   within
   witty
   wizard
   woke
   wolf
   wolves
   woman
   womb
   won
   wonder
   wood
   wooden
   woods
   woody
   wool
   word
   work
   worker
   world
   worm
   worry
   worse
   worst
   worth
   worthy
   would
   wound
   wrap
   wrath
   wreath
   wreck
   wright
   wrist
   writ
   write
   writer
   wrong
   xerox
   yacht
   yale
   yard
   yarn
   yeah
   year
   yeast
   yellow
   yemen
   yet
   yield
   yogurt
   yolk
   york
   you
   young
   your
   youth
   zaire
   zeal
   zebra
   zenith
   zero
   zigzag
   zinc
   zombie
   zone
   zurich
   zygote
   

2. The first 4096 words encode bit patterns from 0x000 to 0xFFF (so "aback" is 0x000, "abbey" is 0x001, ..., "will" is 0xFAB, "willow" is 0xFAC, and so on).

3. The canonical word list order is alphabetical. When one word is an exact prefix of another (for example "will" and "willow"), the shorter one sorts "first" (closer to A, further from Z).

4. Encoding operates on chunks of 24 bits: three octets of input (8 bits x 3), output two words (12 bits x 2).

   For example, if the first three bytes of the input are 0x01 0x23 0x45, that's 0x012345, which re-splits as 0x012 0x345, so the output is accent cruise.

5. The last/4097th word, "zygote", prevents ambiguous outputs by indicating that the next word only contributes to one byte.

   For example,

   • 0x12 0x34 0x00 re-splits as 0x123 0x400, encodes to basin drag.
   • 0x12 0x34 re-splits as 0x123 0x4__, encodes to basin zygote drag.
   • 0x12 0x00 re-splits as 0x120 0x0__, encodes to base zygote aback.
   • 0x12 re-splits as 0x12_ 0x___, encodes to zygote base.

6. Implementations should accept redundant encodings where the word "zygote" occurs in the middle of the word string, or multiple times, so long as each occurrence is individually valid.

   For example, zygote base zygote crow is the catenation of separately encoding 0x12 and 0x34, and that whole string should decode to 0x12 0x34. Similarly, basin zygote drag forum mast should decode to 0x12 0x34 0x56 0x78 0x90.

7. Implementations should reject unused encodings where the ignored bits are non-zero (basin zygote dragon, basin zygote fig, zygote basic, zygote beacon, ...) and where the word zygote appears as the last word.

8. Decoding should be case-insensitive.

[Click to expand for rationale on the above points]

1. Why "zygote" for the extra word? sorts last; distinct spelling+sound, even with mistakes; keeps all words within 3-6 letters; and the idea of being undeveloped is mnemonic with not completely using an encoded word.

2. [nothing to explain]

3. Why alphabetical? human-friendly, obvious even without explanation, and enables incremental binary search on the word list when decoding.

   Similarly, shorter before longer enables another decoding optimization: \0 < a < b < ... < y < z in all encodings, so if you append nulls to the shorter words, you can just lexically comparing letters without code+branches checking string sizes.

4. [nothing to explain]

5. Why put "zygote" before the partially-used word rather than after? it makes it approximately impossible to parse incomplete or delayed input as a different valid input.

6. Why allow these inefficient redundant encodings?

   1. It's the cleanest way to prevent a surprising inconsistency: if we don't allow it, it is inescapable that outputs without zygote can be prepended validly to other outputs, but ones with zygote can't - and users might not notice until they're already relying on it working.
   2. When two operations are commutative, when all valid outputs can be catenated and then decode to the catenation of their inputs, it gives more flexibility and power to users in a fundamental permeating way that often turns out useful in hard-to-predict ways.
   3. If such redundant encodings are allowed, "normalizing" them is a trivial decode and re-encode operation - if they're not accepted but the use-case turns up, a user has to go out of their way, possibly reimplementing or mentally stepping through the decoding and encoding just to give it to the decoder that rejects this.

7. Why reject zygote'd words that imply non-zero ignored bits? Because unlike the redundant encodings in the last point, this doesn't have a natural use case outweighing the default best practice, which is that: rejecting helps help catch errors instead of turning errors into silent misbehavior, and protects the ecosystem by nipping buggy implementations and mutually incompatible extensions in the bud.

8. It would be a nuisance for users if "wrong" casing was rejected, could easily become a confusing and non-obvious source of errors if case was overloaded to have significant meaning, and would get in the way of many possible useful uses of case - such as for reducing visual ambiguity with some fonts, to help users not lose their place in a long encoded word string, and so on.)