10 Words Rarely Used

I like looking up obscure words. The definitions are often surprising and many of them are fun to pronounce. You can always remember one of them to use in a sentence and amaze your co-workers or friends - but it only works if you can keep a straight face. The words were chosen at random - unless you believe nothing is by chance - in which case I'm not sure "who" chose them.

(JAB ul)

jabble

It sound like someone who talks to much doesn't it? Sorry.

Jabble is turbulence on the surface of water such as splashing, choppiness, or rippling. It is used figuratively to designate emotional turmoil or mental agitation. As a verb it means to splash or splatter a liquid.

When children take a bath they jabble all over the place.

(DES kwah mate)

desquamate

If you know the word "squamous" you might figure this one out.

In Latin, desquamate meant to scale a fish. It now is used to indicate skin "peeling" like after a sunburn.

Many of us use SPF 15 to inhibit desquamation.

(LIK ur ish)

lickerish

Its not candy. That would be too easy.

Lickerish describes a person very fond of food; someone who savors the experience of eating. The word expanded to include an individual with a desire for wine, women/men, and song, and has been used as a synonym for lecherous.

Its nice to cook for lickerish guests.

(bawr buh RIG muhs)

borborygmus

Reminds me of something that must be big or substantial. Yes! But not the way I was thinking about it.

Barborygmus is the rumbling of a person's bowels, or flatulence in the intestines.

I think we all know barborygmic people, or perhaps are one.

(puh REE mee us)

paroemia

Could be a cousin of the amoeba, once or twice removed. Nope.

A paroemia is a proverb or and adage like "don't count you blessings before they chirp."

When used frequently, a paroemia can be very annoying.

(SKOH lee uhm)

scholium

At first glance I wasn't sure this word was suitable for a G rated lens. Boy, was I wrong.

A scholium (or scholion) is a notation in the margin of a page usually added by the author or illustrator.

The books I read are full of my own scholiums.

(uh TAK uh baw TOH nee)

attaccabottoni

Surely, I thought, this is some type of pasta dish. Well, it should be.

An attaccabottoni (literally to attach a button) is a bore; someone who goes on and on with a story making it difficult for the listener to leave.

I sat next to an attaccabottoni on a 6 hour flight. Asked the stewardess for a parachute.

(thee AN drik)

theandric

Its not someone who is a drama queen although I think it should be.

A theandric is at the same time divine and human. It has been used to express "divinely human."

My teacher believes that all creatures are theandric but I'm sure I have relatives that are exceptions.

(ves pur TIL ee oh)

vespertillio

You have to admit it sounds like "a lady of the night" or at least her lingerie. I had it half right.

A vespertillio is a creature of the night but not a woman. It is a bat.

Once a vespertillio landed on my shoulder and creeped me out.

(FROM tis tur ee)

phrontistery

I was sure I had it right - thinking it was some type of dentist specialty - and not one I'd ever want to use.

A phrontist is a deep thinker. The Greeks used phrontistery to indicate a place for thought and study. If you used the word now it would point to an institution of learning.

I applied to 5 medical phrontisteries to study tonsils.