How would you rate your English? As an English media, we think we’re pretty alright, and of course do our best to learn more each day. Try as we might, there’s no learning everything, but these words are an excellent addition to our vocabulary. Some of them are poetic and beautiful, some are hilarious, and some yet are oddly specific. Come discover these 18 English words you didn’t know existed and have fun with them!
1) Foofaraw
Take a guess at what this funny-looking and -sounding word means. We’ll give you three tries, and our initial guess was wrong: a bird’s cry (ha ha). When you have your guesses, check below for the definition.
Definition: A great fuss or disturbance about something very insignificant OR an excessive amount of decoration or ornamentation (on a piece of clothing, building etc.)
2) Oxter
What could oxter possibly mean? Do you think it has anything to do with an ox? Maybe another name for ox? Well, no, it’s actually…
An outdated term for “armpit”. Okay then.
3) Tyrotoxism
This is such a fancy-looking word we couldn’t even guess what it means. Though judging by the second part of the word, we’d hazard a guess at poison.
And we’re half right. Tyrotoxism is the act of “poisoning with cheese”. We’re so confused though: why would anyone poison another with cheese, and does cheese poisoning actually exist? Hello police? Hello doctor?
4) Alexithymia
That word right there jumbled up our brain fast. And for some reason, it also jumped straight to hypothermia. And we’re experiencing alexithymia over this because we don’t know how to feel about it…
Alexithymia is the inability to express one’s feelings.
5) Pronk
It does sound like a sound effect, doesn’t it? Something like a honk, or an heavy object dropping? It’s not, but its definition is just as amusing (and maybe even useful).
Definition: A weak or foolish individual. Well, well. The latest insult to add to our stash!
6) Defenestrate
We were totally lost at this one. Back to guessing again – what do you think this means? The answer may really surprise you!
We don’t know who thought that there was a need for this word, but defenestrate actually means throwing someone out of a window. Now that we think of it, we’re sure everyone has someone they’d like to defenstrate… but don’t. Please don’t.
7) Thalassophile
We’re totally thalassophiles! We’ll give you some clues: waves, blue, water, salt, breeze… we knew you’d get there!
A thalassophile is a lover of the sea!
8) Ultracrepidarian
Now that was a mouthful! Perhaps you have someone (or several someones) in your life that’s an ultracrepidarian, and scroll down to see what it actually means.
An ultracrepidarian is someone who gives opinions beyond his/her expertise. Remind you of anyone?
9) Pogonotrophy
Does this word ring any bells, or hint at its meaning? It has something to with your face, more of men’s faces actually, and its really specific. We’ll give you some time to make your guesses before you continue to scroll down…
Pogonotrophy is everything to do with facial hair, from sideburns to beards, and from growing them out to grooming them. So how many of you are actively engaging in pogonotrophy?
10) Tittle
Tittle, not title. And there’s a huge difference. Maybe we’re thinking of the word titter, but tittle sounds like a happy sound to us – a crossover between giggle and titter?
Unfortunately, we’re wrong. Tittle actually refers to the dot of the lowercase letters “i” and “j”. Huh. Who knew those dots had names? We thought they were just called dots!
11) Lethologica
Brains work in funny ways, because the moment we saw this, the next word we thought of was “Dermalogica”. But we have no idea what lethologica meant till we checked out its definition, which is…
The inability to remember a word, or get the right word in a conversation. You know, when you go, “what’s that word already ah?”. That’s lethologica.
12) Psithurism
If we had to guess, we would guess this word to be mathematical or scientific. But to no surprise, we got this one wrong too.
It actually refers to the sound of the wind through trees, and it is so poetic!
13) Tidsoptimist
We’ll venture one more guess before giving up: it’s some kind of oddly specific optimist on a certain matter.
Wrong. A tidsoptimist is a person who’s habitually late because they think they have more time than they do. Are you a tidsoptimist?
14) Obelus
It’s something you’ve definitely seen and used before, but you just didn’t know it had a name.
It’s the division sign!
15) Aglet
This is another very specific word for something you see regularly, but didn’t know it had a name. Guesses ready?
It’s the little piece of plastic on the end of your shoelaces!
16) Rantipole
Totally give up on this one? Yeah, us too!
Rantipole means wild and reckless, or it could also refer to a young person who has these traits.
17) Balter
Balter something everyone can do, no training required. In fact, everyone may have engaged in balter at least once in his/her life.
Balter is “to dance badly”. Get your balter on!
18) Clinomania
Last but not least, we have clinomania. We’d bet plenty of you would readily agree that you have clinomania…
It’s an excessive desire to stay in bed!
And that wraps up the English words you didn’t know existed! Which is your favourite word, or if you have any other obscure words, share them with us in the comments below!
