Interesting Words

Rare Gems: Words & Terms Deserving a Comeback

Language is an ever-evolving tapestry, rich with history and cultural nuances. While some words rise to prominence, others fall into obscurity, waiting to be rediscovered and brought back into the light. Welcome to a treasure trove of linguistic rarities—words and terms that may have fallen out of common use but still possess unique meanings and origins.

In this space, I'll be sharing some of my personal favorites—words that not only sound intriguing but also encapsulate specific ideas or sentiments that modern language often fails to capture succinctly. These are words that deserve to be spoken, to be written, and to be celebrated. So, let's delve into the annals of linguistic history and bring these hidden gems back into the everyday lexicon.

Word List

awful:: adjective: Misunderstood meaning: very bad or unpleasant. - "the place smelled awful"
ACTUAL meaning: awe-inspiring; full of awe

concupiscible:: verb: worthy of being desired; Origin:
It refers to bodice-ripping, most-eligible-bachelor-level romantic desire. Think of it as the 15th-century equivalent of looking like a snack.

crapulent:: verb: sick from gross excess in drinking or eating.; Origin:
It first appeared in English in the mid-1600s and can be traced all the way back to the Greek kraipálē, meaning “drunkenness, a hangover.” Rarely does a word so perfectly capture a specific feeling, and that’s what makes it a perfect choice for a reboot.

egregious (e·gre·gious) [/iˈɡrējəs/]:: adjective: remarkably good
This term has been used ironically so much overtime that it has come to mean "outstandingly bad; shocking." as in "egregious abuses of copyright"

ineffable:: noun: Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words:
The beauty of the landscape was ineffable, leaving us all speechless.; Origin:
Late Middle English: from Latin ineffabilis, from in- 'not' + effabilis 'able to be spoken of' (from effari 'speak out').

moment:: noun: exactly 90 seconds

myriad:: noun: 10,000; as defined by Greek mathematicians

onus:: noun: A burden or obligation that one has to bear or fulfill:
The onus is on the defendant to prove their innocence.; Origin:
Mid 17th century: from Latin, literally 'load, burden'.

overmorrow:: noun: the day after tomorrow:
I’ve heard that tomorrow and overmorrow may bring exceptionally high waves.; adverb: on the day after tomorrow:
If we leave overmorrow, we should not miss a day of the festival.

petrichor:: noun: The pleasant, earthy smell that comes after a fresh rainfall:
The scent of petrichor filled the air, signaling that the storm had passed.; Origin:
1960s: blend of petro- 'relating to rocks' (the smell is believed to be caused by a liquid mixture of organic compounds that collects in the ground) and ichor.

zugzwang:

noun: A situation in which the obligation to make a move in a game is a serious disadvantage: In chess, a player can find themselves in zugzwang, forced to move and thereby worsening their position.

Origin:
Early 20th century: from German Zug 'move' + Zwang 'compulsion'.

"Looking at the stars and thinking we’re alone is optimistic; looking around Earth and thinking we’re the smartest is delusional." - Brandon M. Trube