Worth a thousand words

10 uncommon adjectives you should reintroduce into your vocabulary

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Languages are a wonderful thing, not only because they are a means of communication and thought development, but also because they showcase the human mind’s ability for description. Sadly, many words that were once considered common have slowly become obsolete, and the English language has lost unique ways of expressing specific realities. Here are some fancy adjectives that you should consider reintroducing into your daily vocabulary.

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Meaning: related to ducks.

From the Latin anas, ‘duck’, this adjective can be used for anything pertaining to that particular animal. It might seem an unnecessary adjective, but it is nonetheless useful because you never know when you will have to discuss something duck-related.

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Meaning: pleasant to look at.

We can describe things and people as lovely, beautiful, charming, and more. But sometimes, these things and people are just simply pleasant to the eye. For times like that, we have the adjective ‘comely’.

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Meaning: lacking life or spirit, languid.

Some might think that the word languid is fancy enough for expressing a lack of energy, but don’t you think that ‘lackadaisical’ is a good conversation starter? It comes from the phrase ‘alack the day’, where ‘alack’ was used to express sorrow or regret.

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Meaning: showy, falsely attractive, pretentious.

The origins of this word are not exactly pleasant. From the Latin meretrix, a word used for women of questionable morals, its meaning shifted to refer to things that appear attractive but lack integrity or value.

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Meaning: dull, without significance or interest.

This adjective comes from a Latin word, jejunus, that meant ‘empty of food, hungry, meager’. Once adopted into English, it began being used for things that lack substance. Additionally, ‘jejune’ also means ‘juvenile’, a meaning created by its confusion with the French jeune (‘young’).

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Meaning: fluent but insincere and shallow.

From glibberig, an Old German word meaning ‘slippery’, the term ‘glib’ was initially incorporated into English to describe things that were physically smooth or slippery. Over time, it came to describe someone who speaks easily and fluently, but does not convey sincerity.

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Meaning: threatening, of pernicious influence.

Of Old English origin, ‘baleful’ comes from the word bealu, ‘evil’. Sometimes confused with ‘baneful’ (from Old English bana, ‘slayer’ or ‘murderer’), these two words have close meanings. However, while ‘baneful’ is used for things that cause evil, ‘baleful’ usually refers to a threat or sign of evilness.

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Meaning: skilled, clever, resourceful.

Originally a French word meaning both ‘handsome’ and ‘skilled in combat’, it is no longer used solely for physical skills, but also to denote intellectual capacities.

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Meaning: intemperate or excessive in eating and drinking.

Totally unrelated to a certain swear word quite common in English, the term ‘crapulous’ comes from the Latin crapula, meaning ‘intoxication’, derived in turn from the Greek term for a hangover headache.

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Meaning: whiny, with a tendency to complain.

Related through its origins to ‘quarrel,’ the adjective ‘querulous’ comes from the Latin queri, ‘to complain’. But beware: this word applies only to whiny people who complain for fun, not to justified or occasional complaints.

What science says

It was false after all: 10 health myths that sound true—but aren't

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Health myths are everywhere! These ideas were simply passed down for so long that they became part of what we believed. But now science has stepped in to clear things up. Does cold weather make you sick? Can lemon detox your body? Is reading in low light really harmful? Let's uncover the truth behind 10 common health myths!

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Have you ever been told that cutting your hair will make it grow faster? We're sorry to say that's just a myth. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. So, trimming it won't boost growth, though it does help remove split ends that can make your hair look dry or unhealthy.

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This is one of the most common health myths. Cold weather often gets blamed, but it's not the temperature that makes you catch a cold. During winter, we tend to stay indoors with others and keep the windows closed, an environment that makes it easier for viruses to spread. That's why colds tend to be more common in winter!

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The idea that eating before bed automatically leads to weight gain is a myth. In reality, it has more to do with what you eat and how much, rather than the time of day. Often, when we eat very late at night, we're tired and more likely to reach for quick, high-calorie, heavy foods. This can disrupt sleep and lead to consuming more calories than we burn, both of which may affect weight. If it's close to bedtime, it's better to have something light and healthy in a moderate portion than to skip a meal altogether.

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Does wearing glasses weaken your vision? Myth! If an eye doctor prescribes glasses, wearing them as directed helps correct your vision; it won't make it worse. Additionally, the right glasses can help prevent or reduce headaches caused by reading or spending long hours in front of a screen.

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This myth is closely related to the previous one. If you love reading and sometimes have to do it in low light because of the situation, don't worry. According to experts, reading in low light doesn't cause permanent or irreversible eye damage. However, it's not recommended because it can make your eyes feel tired or strained, leading to discomfort or headaches.

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We're all different, and so are our bodies. The idea that everyone should drink exactly eight glasses of water a day is more of a general guideline than a rule. Staying well hydrated throughout the day is extremely important, but how much water you need depends on factors like your weight, age, climate, and overall health. We should prioritize staying consistently hydrated instead of obsessing over the number of glasses we drink.

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Some people say drinking lemon water helps eliminate toxins and cleanse the body. While adding a slice of lemon to your water is a refreshing way to stay hydrated, it doesn't have any special "detoxifying" powers. The vitamin C in citrus fruits is beneficial, but the body has its own natural detox system. The liver and kidneys are the main organs that filter waste and eliminate toxins.

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Not all fats are bad! Just like other food groups, your body needs fats to function properly. The important thing is knowing the difference between healthy fats and those that can be harmful. Foods like avocados, seeds, olive oil, fish, and nuts are rich in healthy fats. On the other hand, the fats found in processed or fried foods are the ones that can have a negative impact on your body.

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Liver diseases can be serious. While heavy and frequent consumption of alcohol and fats is a major contributor, it's not the only cause. Liver problems can also result from many other factors. These include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, high blood pressure, and exposure to certain chemicals.

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There's some truth to it: breakfast is important because it replenishes our glucose and energy levels and supports proper metabolism. However, the idea that it's the most important meal of the day might be an exaggeration. Everyone's body has different needs, and all meals are important, so we shouldn't skip any of them!