Buzz
Almost two years ago, we published a list featuring ten things that seemed to lack a name, or that were referred to by the wrong name. Today, we explore another set of 10 English words that describe things we're all familiar with, but haven't yet been given a proper term. Let's see if anyone can use all ten in a sentence.
10. Petrichor
Use: “Nothing compares to the petrichor in the morning as the dew disappears.”
Petrichor refers to the distinct smell of rain on dry soil. The term originates from the Greek words 'petros' meaning rock and 'ichor' meaning the fluid that flows in the veins of gods. This scent is produced when certain plants release oils during dry spells, which are then absorbed by clay-based soils and rocks. When it rains, these oils, along with another compound called geosmin, are released into the air, creating the characteristic smell.
9. Elflock
Use: “After the argument, her hair was full of elflocks.”
An elflock is a tangled knot of hair. The term dates back to the 16th century and is simply a blend of the words 'elf' and 'lock'. 'Elf' could refer to either the mythical creature or the number eleven, making the origin of 'elflock' not entirely clear.
8. Nidor
Use: “The kitchen is filled with the nidor of lamb.”
Nidor refers to the smell of burning animal fat. More generally, stemming from its Latin roots, it can describe the steamy aroma of anything being cooked in a kitchen. The term seems to have evolved from the Greek word 'kniddia', a term I couldn't find a definition for—perhaps someone can help us fill in the gap.
7. Salmagundi
Use: “Tonight, mom is making a salmagundi – it's my favorite stew!”
The term salmagundi originally referred to a stew made from mixed meats, fish, herbs, and vegetables, all cooked in vinegar or wine. It can also describe any mixture of ingredients. In a somewhat altered form, Australians use the word 'hashmagandy' to describe an outback stew. The word seems to have evolved from the old French 'salemine', which later influenced the modern French 'salmigondis', meaning salted, seasoned meats.
6. Scree
Use: “We are going to climb that scree in the distance.”
Scree refers to a pile of rubble typically found at the base of a cliff. It’s sometimes called talus (from the French meaning slope), though talus generally consists of larger debris, whereas scree is made up of smaller fragments like loose gravel. The word comes from the Old Norse 'skritha', meaning 'landslide'.
5. Don Juanism
Use: “Most teenage boys on the internet are affected by Don Juanism.”
Don Juanism refers to an obsessive focus on sexual pleasure or conquest, often resulting in short-lived and sometimes exploitative relationships. The term originates from Don Juan, the infamous libertine known for his relentless pursuit of seducing women.
4. Tenesmus
Use: “Can I please use your bathroom? I have a serious case of tenesmus.”
Tenesmus is the uncomfortable sensation of needing to defecate, often accompanied by the feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation or the need to strain. Simply put, it's an urgent yet ineffective desire to empty the rectum or bladder. The term comes from the Greek 'teinesmos', meaning 'to stretch' or 'to strain'.
3. Muliebrity
Use: “Rosie O’Donnell has all the muliebrity of a block of wood.”
Muliebrity refers to 'womanly qualities'. For instance, one could say Michael Jackson displayed a touch of muliebrity, while Rosie O'Donnell might be said to lack it. The term can also describe the state of being a grown woman.
2. Hibernaculum
Use: “As winter draws near, the bear searches for its hibernaculum.”
Hibernaculum refers to the place where an animal hibernates, such as a cave. The term comes from Latin, meaning 'tent for winter quarters.' While it originated in the context of humans, it has since shifted to describe the resting places of animals during winter.
1. Podsnap
Use: “Kanye West is such a podsnap – he believes he's amazing when he's actually just a jerk.”
A podsnap is someone who is overly self-satisfied and avoids confronting uncomfortable truths. The term is derived from the character Mr. John Podsnap in Charles Dickens' novel 'Our Mutual Friend'. Needless to say, Mr. Podsnap embodies the traits his name implies.
