1. Affirmative

Definition: excl. Expressing agreement with a statement or request; yes.

Explanation: My dad uses this as an answer to a question, instead of saying yes.

Example: "Are we having pizza for dinner?" "Affirmative."

2. Benevolent

Definition: adj. Well meaning and kindly.

Explanation: My dad uses this in a phrase. "It's all part of my kind and benevolent nature."

Example: "Thanks for sharing." "It's all part of my kind and benevolent nature."

Fun fact: My dad is a reluctant sharer.

3. Calisthenics 

Definition: n. Gymnastic exercises to achieve bodily fitness and grace of movement.

Explanation: My dad tells me to do calisthenics usually when I'm waiting for something, as a way to pass the time. I've always taken it to mean 'do some stretches.' I never do.

Example: "Are you ready to go?" "Almost. Do some calisthenics."

4. Capeesh

Definition: excl. (informal) Do you understand?

Explanation: My dad says this as a way of making sure I heard and understood what he said.

Example: "*monologue* Capeesh?"

Fun fact: More often than capeesh, my dad says, "Acknowledge and affirm," which means essentially the same thing.

5. Elicit

Definition: v. Evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone in reaction to one's own actions or questions.

Explanation: This is part of a phrase my dad uses. "Did it elicit a chuckle?" Which means, "Did it cause the person to laugh?".

Example: "I told that joke to my friend." "Did it elicit a chuckle?"

6. Facetious

Definition: adj. Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.

Explanation: My dad often defends offensive remarks by saying he was being facetious. It's like when you insult someone and say, "Just kidding!"

Example: "I was just being facetious."

Fun fact: Being facetious is like being sarcastic, but meaner.

Fun fact 2: Before I learned how this word was spelled, I assumed it was something like "phaseacious."

7. Imp

Definition: n. A small, mischievous devil.

Explanation: "Why, you little imp!" was a phrase I heard a lot when I was little as my dad playfully chased me around the house. I wasn't a bad kid or anything. He meant it in a nice way, I think. It was like calling me fun and feisty.

Example: "You're quite an imp today."

Fun fact: Imps are actually mythological creatures. Don't look them up on Google Images.

Fun fact 2: My dad still calls me an imp sometimes when I'm being especially sassy.

8. Incredulous

Definition: adj. Unwilling or unable to believe something.

Explanation: My dad uses this to describe his or other people's reactions to something they couldn't or wouldn't believe.

Example: "I was incredulous when I heard the news."

9. Indeed

Definition: ad. Used to emphasize a statement or response confirming something already suggested.

Explanation: My dad uses this either by itself or at the beginning or end of a sentence, usually to express agreement.

Example: "It's nice outside." "Indeed, it is."

Fun fact: Easter was not too long ago, and a common thing religious people say on Easter is: "He is risen." The traditional reply is, "He is risen, indeed."

10. Negatory

Definition: adj. Marked by or having the nature of negation (negative).

Explanation: My dad uses this like he uses affirmative. While affirmative means yes, negatory means no. It's similar to how negative can mean no, like in the case of "That's a negative."

Example: "Are we going out for dinner?" "Negatory."

Fun fact: No matter the context, my dad usually says this in a cheery manner.

11. Problematic

Definition: adj. Constituting or presenting a problem or difficulty.

Explanation: Instead of saying, "That's a problem," or "That's not good," my dad uses the word problematic.

Example: "I can't find my keys and I have to leave." "That's problematic."

12. Scathing indictment

This is technically two words, so I'll define both before explaining how my dad uses it.

Scathing: adj. Witheringly scornful; severely critical.

Indictment: n. A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.

Explanation: My dad says this when I insult something or someone. It's like when you insult someone and someone else says, "Ooh, burn!", except it's more sophisticated.

Example: "Planned Parenthood should be called Preventing Parenthood." "Scathing indictment!"

13. Timid

Definition: adj. Showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened.

Explanation: Whenever I act timid, my dad tells me not to be like Piglet from Winnie the Pooh, who is notoriously timid.

Example: "Don't be so timid."

14. Virtue

Definition: n. A quality considered morally good or desirable in a person.

Explanation: For as long as I can remember, my dad has recited the mantra, "Patience is a virtue." It's a nice way of telling me to stop whining.

Example: "Are we almost there?" "Patience is a virtue."

Fun fact: When you look up the definition of virtue, "patience is a virtue" is one of the example sentences.

15. Witty

Definition: adj. Showing or characterized by quick and inventive verbal humor.

Explanation: My dad likes to consider himself witty. I like to consider myself witty. It's more than just being funny, though. It's also about being clever, sassy, and able to think quickly.

Example: "I enjoy our witty banter."