Contributed by Info Guru Angela Hail
Here is a list of ten words with which to puzzle acquaintances and annoy friends and family.
10. Zaftig
Having a full figure with curves in all the right places. As in, “Look at that zaftig babe. Wowsa!”
9. Ranarium
A place where frogs are bred. In short, a frog farm.
8. Quodlibet
Per Webster’s Dictionary, it is either, 1. a philosophical or theological point proposed for disputation;also: a disputation on such a point; or 2. a whimsical combination of familiar melodies or texts. In other words, a point raised in a debate or rap music using samples from 80s pop songs.
7. Oleaginous
Oily. Think of your grandmother’s (or great-grandmother’s) word for margarine (oleo), or your first boyfriend’s hair.
6. Noyade
Execution by drowning, as made famous by the mass executions in Nantes, France during the Reign of Terror. See, we have vocabulary AND history. Don’t say I didn’t learn you nothin’.
5. Lethologica
The inability to recall the right word. As in, “What was that word for when you can’t think of the right word? It’s right on the tip of my tongue …”
4. Hebetate
To grow dull or blunt. What happens to your brains when you get sucked into yet another reality TV show.
3. Evanescent
Something fleeting or impermanent, like mist or rainbows. I will refrain from making any cracks about the potential evanescence of the rock band sharing the same name.
2. Canard
A false story, a tall tale, a yarn. It is also the French word for duck. Ooh, look! Two canards spinning canards! I kill me. I really do.
1. Aprosexia
The inability to concentrate. If you’ve made it to the end of this list, congratulations, you are not suffering from aprosexia. Give yourself a pat on the back.
