Language is full of surprises. Over the centuries, terms have been coined to describe objects, phenomena or very specific situations that you might never have thought had a name of their own. Today we compile some of these curious words that you probably didn’t know.
1. Barilla.
Surely you have seen in western movies those balls of dry grass that roll through the desert pushed by the wind. Well, they have a name: barilla. In reality, they are plants that, when they dry out and become detached from their roots, roll away to spread their seeds.
2. Anachronism.
Something out of its historical time (e.g. a Roman with a digital clock).
3. Philippic.
Very harsh and accusatory speech against someone.
4. Meraki.
It describes the act of doing something with soul, passion and creativity, putting a part of yourself into what you do.
5. Cacophony.
Although it sounds strange, it is used to define the unpleasant combination of sounds or words that “shock” the ear.
6. Ephemeral.
Something that lasts a very short time, almost fleeting, but long enough to leave an impression.
7. Ineffable.
It refers to that which is so extraordinary or intense that it is impossible to express it in words.
8. Sieve.
A colloquial word meaning a thing of little importance or of no value.
9. Pruritus
Itching of the skin; also, exaggerated desire to do something.
10. Hypocoristic.
Affectionate or diminutive form of a noun (e.g. Pepe for José, Lola for Dolores).
11. Ataraxia.
State of serenity and inner peace, free of worries.
12. Exanimate.
Lifeless, without strength, almost dead.
13. Languid.
Lacking energy or strength, weak, dejected.
14. Taciturn.
Quiet, reserved or sad person.
15. Stentorian.
Extremely loud and resonant sound.
16. Acrimony.
Roughness in character, manner or expression.
17. Epiphany.
Sudden revelation or manifestation of something essential.
18. Abulia.
Lack of will or energy to perform activities.
19. Vituperate.
To rebuke or criticize harshly.
20. Concupiscence.
Intense desire for material goods or pleasures.
21. Oneiric.
Related to dreams or what is experienced in them.
22. Mellifluous.
Something so sweet or mild that it is cloying.
23. Peripatetic.
Related to walking back and forth, or to Aristotle’s philosophy.
24. Histrionic.
Exaggerated, theatrical or very dramatic behavior.
25. Serendipity.
Fortunate and unexpected finding when you were looking for something else.
26. Unmarketable.
That cannot wither, unalterable in time.
27. Apocrypha.
Text or thing of doubtful authenticity or falsity.
28. Uxoricide.
Murder of the wife at the hands of the husband.
29. Imberbe.
Young person who does not have a beard or lacks maturity.
30. Drone.
The male of the bee, but it is also used to call someone lazy.
31. Chrysalis.
State of the butterfly inside the cocoon; also used metaphorically for a stage of transformation.
32. Petricor.
That smell of wet earth after the rain.
33. Logomachy.
Absurd discussion based on words and not on facts.
34. Evanescent.
Something that disappears quickly, like smoke or a sensation.
35. Nephelibata.
A dreamer, living in the clouds and oblivious to reality.
36. Baroque.
In addition to artistic style, it means something ornate or complicated.
37. Acrostic.
Poem in which the initial letters of each line form a word.
38. Vitriolo.
Cruel, biting language, full of sarcasm.
39. Aúreo.
Golden, bright or very valuable.
40. Inexorable.
That cannot be stopped, resisted or avoided.
41. Limerence.
State of obsessive infatuation, with intrusive thoughts about someone.
42. Atrabiliary.
Choleric, bad tempered person.
43. Anacolute.
Error or break in the structure of a sentence.
44. Alfeñique.
Traditional sweet, but also a weak or delicate person.
45. Ubiquity.
Ability to be present in several places at the same time (literal or figurative).
46. Ecdotics.
Discipline that studies the critical reconstruction of ancient texts.
47. Orate.
A person who has lost his mind or behaves eccentrically.
48. Zahurda.
Dirty or cluttered place.
49. Panacea.
Remedy that supposedly works for everything.
50. Idleness.
Lack of desire, negligence or neglect
51. Tremulous.
It trembles slightly.
52. Ufano.
Proud, satisfied or vain.
Conclusion.
These words remind us that every language hides hidden gems that reflect unique customs, emotions and phenomena. Learning them not only enriches our vocabulary, but also our way of looking at the world.
