There's a Word for It

Behold, the 50 most frequently looked-up words on NYTimes.com in the first half of this year. I knew all but parlous, dauphin, comity, Atreus, peroration, phlogiston, and appurtenances. (It was kind of a bonus that we got both feckless and fecklessness, which I knew.) (via Nancy)

Here's a collection of "cool and obscure" words, most of which I'd never even seen before. A few random favorites:

• absquatulate: to leave hurriedly, suddenly, or secretly
• bever: a between-meal snack
• eristic: enjoying argument for its own sake
• fugleman: one who sets an example
• oikonisus: the urge to start a family
• tacenda: things better left unsaid

And, finally, some words that sound dirty but aren't. Oh, please pardon my dictum!

Comments

[Kelly]

Ooooh.. I am going to use "absquatulate" in some conversation tomorrow. I also have a word that describes both me and my oldest at times: eristic.