Stock up on short words

"Cwm" is not a typo: Three-letter words you didn't know existed

Need a few tricks up your sleeve for playing Scrabble? It’s not always the long words that will impress the other players: Sometimes it’s the surprisingly short combination of letters that none of them knew. Have you ever heard of unassuming three-letter words like "cwm" or "zax"? Those aren’t typos! Let’s explore some of the most obscure –yet perfectly valid– three-letter words.

Before you ask: it’s pronounced "koom". If you run out of vowels in your Scrabble set, this might save you. It refers to a deep, steep-walled valley, often carved by glaciers.

The term comes from Welsh, where it simply means "valley." Many places in Wales proudly bear the name, such as Cwmbran, a town in South Wales, or Cwmtwrch, a village with a name that translates to "Valley of the Wild Boar."

A "zax" is a tool used for cutting or trimming roof slates with precision. The word shares linguistic roots with seax, an Old English word for a short sword or knife.

Plus, in Scrabble, the mighty "Z" (10 points!) paired with "A" (1 point) and "X" (8 points) makes this one of the highest-scoring three-letter words you can play!

No, it’s not a mythical sea creature. "Voe" refers to a small bay or narrow creek that extends inland from the sea. These sheltered inlets are particularly found in Scotland, where they provided safe harbor for fishermen and sailors for centuries.

Some of these sailors were Vikings who once ruled the territory, and who called these bays with the Old Norse word vágr (bay or inlet.)

If you ever see a rowdy, loudmouthed troublemaker being kicked out of a bar in Britain, you might hear someone call them a "yob."

Here’s the funny part: There’s no Old English etymology involved. It’s just "boy" spelled backwards (a bit of Cockney slang trickery).

A very specific noun, but a valid one. A "pyx" is the container used in churches to hold consecrated bread.

The term comes from Latin pyxis, meaning "small box," which in turn derives from the Greek pyxos, a type of boxwood tree. Those three letters combined would earn you at least 15 points!

Have you ever seen the interior of a rock lined with dazzling, beautiful crystals? You might have been looking at a vug.

It’s a small cavity inside a rock that often exposes these pockets of hidden treasures, like quartz, amethyst, or more exotic gems. The word vug comes from the Cornish language, where vooga meant "cave" or "hollow."

Sure, playing "OK" is useful, but have you tried "Oka"? It’s a type of cheese from Canada, and also a historical unit of weight used in Turkey.

The cheese is named after the village of Oka in Quebec, where Trappist monks started making it in the late 19th century.

Gox might sound like the name of some sci-fi character. But it’s just a short abbreviation to refer to "gaseous oxygen."

"O₂" is the more common way to represent it, but "gox" is sometimes used by those in scientific and industrial contexts.

To be fair, you could pluralize any two-letter word by adding an S. "Xis" (the plural of the 14th Greek letter Ξ ξ) is no exception.

Just so you know, "xi" is not the translation of our "X," as you might think. What we call an "X," the Greek would call a "chi."

"Ait" is mostly used in Britain to describe little landmasses that pop up in waterways, like those dotting the Thames.

The word (sometimes spelled eyot) comes from Old English iegoth, meaning "small island." Though it’s not common in everyday speech, you’ll still find it in place names and historical writings.

Before they fully mature, newts crawl on land: this is when we call them efts. These tiny, bright-colored amphibians can be found around damp forests, looking like pocket-sized dragons.

The word eft has been around for centuries, coming from Old English efeta, which evolved to ewt, and ultimately to newt.

The gnu (pronounced "new" or "guh-noo") is better known as the wildebeest, that sturdy African antelope famous for its dramatic migrations across the Serengeti.

The word gnu comes from the Khoisan languages of southern Africa and was first recorded by European explorers in the 18th century. The alternative name wildebeest is the Dutch word for "wild beast," of course.

"Nix" means to reject, cancel, or put an end to something. The word comes from the German nichts, meaning "nothing."

It entered American English in the 19th century, likely through German immigrants. Over time, it became a snappy, no-nonsense way to say "no."

An "ulu" is a traditional Inuit knife with a characteristic curved blade, perfect for chopping, skinning, or even cutting a child's hair (yes, really).

The name comes from the Inuktitut word ᐅᓗ (ulu), which roughly translates to "woman’s knife"

because it was traditionally used by Inuit women for household and hunting tasks.

Out in the boondocks

Sleep better than a hibernating bear: 10 tips for cold-weather camping

Image: Anna Shvets

Winter camping is a unique experience, just as satisfying as camping during other times of the year. True, the weather can be more severe and unpredictable, and there are fewer daylight hours, but with proper preparation, winter camping offers unparalleled rewards. In this article, we’ve compiled 10 tips to help you get the most out of your cold-weather camping trip!

Image: Kimon Maritz

A trip never truly begins on the first day of your vacation—it starts long before. First, choose the place you want to visit and make sure you have everything you need to live away from home for a few days. Once you’ve selected your destination, it’s time to plan your route. With the help of physical and topographical maps, you can study the terrain, check road and trail conditions, and estimate how long it will take to reach your destination.

It’s also essential to check local weather forecasts so you can avoid dangerous areas. Research the emergency services available in the region, and learn how to recognize and avoid avalanches if your route passes through areas with deep snow.

Image: Christian Buttazzo

Before heading out on a camping trip in cold areas, make sure you have the right equipment. Find a tent that is suitable for winter. For example, if you expect snow or strong winds, opt for a 4-season tent that can withstand harsh weather and help keep the interior dry and warm.

A proper sleeping bag is essential for ensuring a good night’s rest on your trip. It’s your best defense against the cold when temperatures drop at night. Bring a closed-cell foam sleeping pad as well—without a well-insulated pad underneath, even the warmest sleeping bag will quickly lose heat.

Image: Tim Foster

Your winter camping gear is key—but so is your clothing! Your tent and sleeping bag will keep you warm at night, but during the day you’ll need clothing that is sturdy, waterproof, and warm. Choose garments that are insulating, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and breathable.

Pack enough clothing so you can change when you sweat—this helps prevent chills and reduces the risk of getting sick. Pay special attention to socks and footwear; warm, dry feet make it much easier to maintain proper body temperature.

Pro tip: At night, stash your boot liners inside your sleeping bag. Few things are worse than slipping warm feet into frozen boots in the morning. Also store electronics, batteries, fuel canisters, and anything else you don’t want to freeze.

Image: Ali Kazal

It never hurts to pack more than you need. Pack extra batteries, a couple of gallons of additional fuel, more food than you plan to eat, extra gloves and socks, and enough toiletries to last the trip.

Remember, winter camping means fewer daylight hours, which makes you more dependent on flashlights and other light sources. If you’re camping in a snowy area, you’ll likely need to melt snow for drinking water—so plan for the extra fuel this requires.

Image: David Schultz

Once you arrive at your destination, your first task is to choose the right place to set up camp. Study your surroundings to find the safest and most suitable spot for your tent. Avoid areas that could pose a risk, such as avalanche terrain, landslide zones, or places with unstable or overhanging trees.

Look for the flattest site possible—one that gets plenty of sun and stays relatively dry throughout the day. A good trick is to orient your tent’s entrance toward the east so it catches the morning sun and warms up more quickly. As soon as you climb inside your tent for the first time, use your knees to smooth out the area beneath your sleeping pad. Don’t wait until night—once snow melts and refreezes, it becomes much harder to adjust.

Image: Necip Duman

The best way to handle camping in cold conditions is to be proactive and plan ahead. For example, did you know that warm air rises and cold air falls? Digging a trench in the snow in front of your tent’s entrance allows the cold air to settle in the hole instead of around your body.

This technique—borrowed from igloo construction—has other advantages: the trench can serve as a bench for putting on or taking off your boots, and it makes getting in and out of the tent easier while helping prevent snow from being tracked inside.

Image: Tima Miroshnichenko

Staying hydrated is essential when camping in bitter cold weather, as the air dries you out more quickly and your body still needs plenty of fluids to function. Drink regularly, but avoid water that is too cold. Carry a sturdy thermos filled with hot broth, tea, or coffee, and insulate your water bottles to prevent freezing—wrap them in extra clothing or use dedicated bottle insulators.

Bring a camping stove to prepare or heat food. Eat consistently, even if you don’t feel hungry. If you wake up cold during the night, have a quick snack to "fuel your engine," focusing on calorie-dense foods like chocolate, cheese, and nuts. Always pack extra food in case you get trapped by a snowstorm—survival energy bars and canned goods can be lifesavers in extreme conditions

Image: truthseeker08

On freezing nights, water vapor often condenses on the tent’s inner walls, your sleeping bag, and your gear—even with the door cracked open. When the ice melts, it can soak your equipment. Control frost buildup by keeping your gear covered or inside garbage bags, and by sweeping ice crystals into piles before they melt.

Another key tip for a restful night is to keep your sleeping bag as dry as possible. Your body produces heat and exhales warm air at night, both of which cause condensation that can reduce your sleeping bag’s effectiveness. To avoid this, air out and dry your bag thoroughly during the day to remove any excess moisture.

Image: Thom Holmes

We can’t stress this enough: always stay hydrated. Winter activities burn a lot of energy, so be sure to drink water regularly. While on the move, sip water every 20 minutes; at rest, drink every 40 minutes.

Equally important is protecting your skin. Snowy landscapes reflect a lot of solar radiation, increasing your exposure. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 three times a day—and never forget your ears! Finally, wear sunglasses or goggles to prevent eye injuries from glare and UV rays.

Image: Paige Deasley

Even if you’ve prepared well, chosen the best campsite, and packed the right equipment, freezing weather and snow can be unpredictable. That’s why it’s important to have a backup plan in case things don’t go as expected.

For example, always carry a map showing shelters, refuges, or rural houses in case it becomes impossible to continue camping outdoors. Bring food that doesn’t require cooking in case the weather is too bad to light a fire or use your camping stove. Also, plan some indoor leisure activities—if outdoor sports or adventures become impossible, you’ll want fun ways to pass the time inside your tent.