This week’s obscure English word – well, in this case, a term – is hapax legomenon. It means a word that appears but once in a particular work. I used to put such things into my books, on occasion. Nobody ever noticed (go on – buy up my back-list and start searching, I double-dog dare … More The obscure word of the week is hapax legomenon

This week’s obscure English word is whiffle. It means the sound made by a sword whipping through the air. To me it is somehow disconnected from the action. Whiffle is such a fluffy sort of word. Not the kind of word that might then be followed by one such as ‘thunk’, ‘clang’, or, potentially, ‘splurch’. … More The obscure word of the week is whiffle

This week’s obscure English word is mytacism. It’s a term referring to speech, specifically over-use of the sound ‘m’. Originally it was applied in the ancient world, but today it’s probably useful when people make irritating ‘mmmmmmm’ noises while eating. Your challenge: write a sentence or two in the comments using this word. Copyright © … More The obscure word of the week is mytacism

This week’s obscure English word is persiflage. It means engaging in witty banter. You know (just to channel Monty Python for a moment): “I say, Wrigglesworth, bally Jerry just gave the Pongoes a bit of old stick, what”. “What was that, Algy?” “Bally Jerry just popped one on the Pongoes.” “I’m sorry, old chap, I’m … More The obscure word of the week is persiflage

This week’s obscure English word – well, in this case, a term – is lucubration. It means something produced as a product of great effort and study. Your challenge: write a sentence or two in the comments using this word. Copyright © Matthew Wright 2020

This week’s obscure English word – well, in this case, a term – is nikehedonia. It refers to the feeling someone gets when they know they are about to succeed, perhaps in winning a game. Your challenge: write a sentence or two in the comments using this word. Copyright © Matthew Wright 2020

This week’s obscure English word is steatopygous. It means having a large bottom. I’m not sure what use such a word actually has, but I guess if anybody feels they MUST describe their own backside dimensions at all, ‘steatopygous’ sounds much more sophisticated than possible alternatives. Probably. Your challenge: write a sentence or two in … More The obscure word of the week is steatopygous