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So You Think You Know English

Things you didn't even know had a name!

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So You Think You Know English
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You know that one thing that you can't think of what it's called? You know? That thing? Or that thing that you can only describe with hand motions or guttural noises? You know? That other thing? Well, guess what. That thing actually has a name.


1. Petrichor

You know that wonderful and indescribable smell that occurs after it rains? Well, hate to rain on your parade, but it actually can be described: "A pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather." So, now you know the name of that smell. You know...that one.

2. Philtrum

You know that weird indent between your upper lip and your nose? That actually has a name, and it's your philtrum (fun fact: my Mac actually says that's spelled wrong, but it isn't).

3. Phosphene

You know when you rub your eyes and suddenly it's like there's little lights floating around the room? That's called a phosphene: "A ring or spot of light produced by pressure on the eyeball or direct stimulation of the visual system other than by light."

4. Wamble

You know that moment when it's completely silent in the classroom, and suddenly your stomach erupts in a chorus of gurgles and grumbles? Well your stomach is actually wambling.

5. Purlicue

Spread out your hand. Now locate that little flappy space between your forefinger and your thumb. You just found your purlicue.

6. Tines

You know those spikey things that make a fork, a fork? Those are tines, or also commonly known as, prongs.

7. Crapulence

THIS is a word-no lie. It's that sickness you get when you eat or drink to much!

8. Lunule

Look at one of your nails. Do you see that pale pink crescent area at the base of your nail? That's called a lunule.

9. Box Tent

You know that cute little table thing that's sitting in the middle of your pizza in the pizza box? That's called a box tent!

10. Nurdle

This, again, is a REAL WORD! It's definition: A tiny dab of toothpaste.

11. Brannock Device

You know that foot measring thing that you use when you go to buy shoes? That's not called a "foot measuring thing." It's called a Brannock device.

12. Overmorrow

Not today, not tomorrow, but the day after tomorrow. That's called overmorrow.

13. Ferrule

You know that metal band around the end of a pencil that basically holds the wood and the eraser together? It's a ferrule.

14. Keeper

No, this has nothing to do with Quidditch. You know that little loop on your belt that you put the end through after you've put it through the buckle? That, my friends, is called the Keeper.

15. Tatterdemalion

Also known as "bumming it" or "looking like a hobo." This is what you call a person who is dressed in ragged clothes.

16. Accubation

You know when you're really thirsty in the middle of the night, but you don't feel like sitting up so you just drink lying down? You are committing accubation. Congrats!

17. Lemniscate

Better known as the "infinity symbol."

18. Zarf

When you go to Starbucks (or most coffee shops), they'll put a cardboard sleeve on your cup because the styrofoam is too hot to handle. That's called a zarf!

19. Minimus

Mini but mighty! It's what you call your little toe or finger is also called.

20. Desire Path

That path in the grass that's made because people are too lazy to use the sidewalk because it's "the long way."

21. Parethesia

The fancy term for "pins and needles."

22. Snood

You know that fleshy thing on the neck of a turkey? That's the snood!

23. Tittle

No. Just no. I know where your mind went, but no. A "tittle" is the dot above the "i" and "j."

24. Ideolocator

We've all gotten lost before right? Luckily, there are usually maps that have the glorious "you are here" signs. That's the ideolocator!

25. Interrobang

You know those moments where neither a question mark nor an exclamation mark can satisfy that feeling of "WHAT." That's why there's the ever helpful combination called an interrobang: ?!

26. Mamihlapinatapai

You know that look you and sibling/bff share when you both want something, but are both too lazy to get up and get it, and you hope the other will relent and give in? That's the weird "m" word above.

27. Phloem Bundles

You know those nasty strings you see when you're peeling a banana? Yea, those.

28. Mondegreen

You know when you decide to pull up your favorite song on YoutTube, and you choose a lyric video, and you sing along while reading the lyrics and you realize...you misheard the lyrics and the words you were singing weren't actually what was being sung? You know, that weird occurance? That's called mondegreen: "misheard song lyrics."

29. Scurryfunge

When your parents pull into the driveway and you realized you've forgotten to do your chores so you quickly scramble around trying to make things look neat.

30. Ailurophile

A cat lover :3

31. Grawlix

Those symbols that are supposed to represent cursing in comics.


Don't believe me when I say that those are real words? Google them and see for yourself! These are just some of the strange words that are out there.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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