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.

Prep like a pro

Craft your own: 10 survival gadgets you can make at home

Image: Maciej Karoń

People have survived in the wilderness for millennia, long before modern survival gadgets were mass-produced for convenience. And when it comes to building your own survival kit, there’s no need to head to the store! With some basic supplies lying around, you can create everything from a reliable alcohol stove to a life-saving rope. Stick with us to discover 10 survival tools you can craft yourself!

Image: Joseph Sharp

Did you know you can turn a simple tin can into a portable stove? Adventurers have known this for decades: it’s extremely easy to create a very reliable alcohol stove just by cutting a series of holes near the top of an empty can. If alcohol isn’t your fuel of choice, simply cut an additional hole near the bottom for ventilation, and voilà—you have an efficient mini wood stove for twigs and tinder.

Any type of tin can will work, but soda cans are particularly easy to cut, making them a great option if you’re in a hurry (though they do require a more careful design to ensure sturdiness). Despite their delicate appearance, these stoves can last through years of heavy use. And the best part? If it ever breaks or stops working, you can make a new one in under a minute

Image: Louis Moncouyoux

You’ve got the stove—great. But how are you going to get a fire going in the first place? You’re not truly prepared for survival until you have a reliable way to light a fire. That’s where a fire-starting kit comes in handy. Fortunately, making one is easy, and you don’t need anything out of the ordinary.

By combining cotton balls with petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) and storing the treated cotton in a waterproof container—such as a small metal canister—you create a highly flammable fire starter. It burns much longer than dry tinder and can help you get a fire going even in tough weather conditions. Don’t have petroleum jelly? You can use wax the same way—just melt it first!

Image: Brian Yurasits

You’re not going to get far without access to clean water—that’s for sure. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! With just a clear plastic bottle and sunlight, you can make a simple (and hopefully not too dirty) solar water purifier. Fill the bottle with clear water and leave it in direct sunlight for at least six hours to eliminate most harmful pathogens.

This method, known as the SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) technique, uses UV radiation and heat to kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It’s recommended by the World Health Organization for regions without access to safe drinking water. If clear water isn’t available—or if you're working with salt water—you can combine two or more bottles to create a solar-powered distiller. It’s a great trick for surviving, even if you’re stranded at sea!

Image: Lucas Dudek

Don’t have rope—but somehow have a ton of duct tape? You’re in luck, because humanity’s most versatile adhesive can save the day. By tightly twisting strips of duct tape together, you can create a surprisingly durable rope capable of supporting a significant amount of weight.

And while we’re probably preaching to the choir here, it’s worth repeating: always carry a roll of this miracle tape. It has countless uses, from sealing packages to repairing tent seams, or even fixing torn clothes.

Image: Waldemar

Compasses often seem more complicated than they really are. If you ever need one, you can quickly make your own using just a magnet and a needle. Start by rubbing the needle against the magnet to magnetize it. Then float the needle on a small piece of cork (or even leaf or paper) in a bowl of water.

The needle will align with Earth’s magnetic field, pointing north. While it won’t be as precise or durable as a professional compass, it’s a handy tool for navigating unfamiliar terrain!

Image: ilgmyzin

Ever wonder why so many outdoor enthusiasts swear by paracord? It’s because it’s incredibly versatile and remarkably durable. Paracord is lightweight yet impressively strong, often rated to hold up to 550 pounds. Plus, it can easily be transformed into a multipurpose survival tool.

By weaving paracord into a belt or bracelet (it also makes a cool watch strap), you’ll always have high-quality rope on hand. In emergencies, it can be quickly unraveled and used for building shelters, making fishing lines, or securing gear.

Image: Kelly Sikkema

A signal mirror is an often overlooked but vital part of a wilderness survival kit. These mirrors can reflect sunlight over long distances, helping you attract attention from rescuers or other hikers, potentially saving lives in an emergency.

You can skip the DIY route if you have an old pocket mirror lying around. But if you’re feeling resourceful, take a small, smooth piece of metal or shiny plastic, clean it, and polish it until it’s as reflective as possible. For extra utility, if the material is malleable, you can even reshape it into a basic parabolic mirror to help start a fire!

Image: Firas Wardhana

Another way to attract rescuers—or anyone nearby—in an emergency is by making noise. But over long distances, yelling often isn’t enough. That’s where an emergency whistle comes in handy. If you forgot to pack one, you can easily make your own using an empty plastic pen.

Start by removing the front section of the pen, including the tapered plastic tip and the ink cartridge, leaving only the main barrel and back cap. Then, use a knife to cut a small angled notch near the back of the pen, trimming off part of the end cap. That’s it! Blow through the open end to produce a loud, attention-grabbing sound.

Image: Thomas Park

You get the idea: fill a small tin can with hooks, fishing line, and sinkers. It’s one of the easiest survival tools to assemble, especially if you already have basic fishing gear. If there’s still room in the container, consider adding bait alternatives like artificial lures or even small strips of aluminum foil to complete your portable fishing kit.

This compact setup is perfect for any survival situation near a water source. Or maybe you just enjoy fishing on the go. Either way, it’s always a smart idea to keep one in your backpack.

Image: Kyler Boone

Who hasn’t escaped an unexpected downpour cloaked in one of these? The classic trash bag poncho is a portable shelter for those who either forgot their rain gear or just prefer not to carry extra weight.

It might not look very stylish, but who’s to say it wouldn’t turn a few heads during Fashion Week? Most importantly, plastic is super effective at repelling water, and its lightweight nature makes it perfect for a survival kit. It can also double as a ground cover or a small tarp in a pinch.