FRISSON is today’s juicy word, a noun meaning a shiver, shudder, a palpitation, or a thrill. Yes, it can also be used as a verb. One of my favorite mystery authors, the late P.D. James, used this word frequently. It sounds so very British, don’t you think? With the frisson of victory only seconds away, the young athlete surged across the finish line seconds ahead of his competitors. Seeing his teacher enter the room holding the final test scores, the student’s heart sank in a frisson of fear. The office workers shared a frisson of disbelief as they observed a man on a tightrope walking outside their window 100 stories up.
