gh-37256: general cleanup of words/paths.py
    
Just refreshing the modified file, pep8 for code, details in doc, etc

### 📝 Checklist

- [x] The title is concise, informative, and self-explanatory.
- [x] The description explains in detail what this PR is about.
    
URL: #37256
Reported by: Frédéric Chapoton
Reviewer(s): Matthias Köppe

Author: Release Manager