UNWONTED TERMS FOR UNCOMMON SITUATIONS

What does “cattywampus” mean and why you should know it: 10 odd words

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Everything that exists, even if only in our minds, can be named. Such is the beauty of words, and the English language is especially rich and ingenious in this regard. Its lexicon not only embraces the conventional but also celebrates the delightfully odd.

Within its linguistic treasure lie peculiar words like "kerfuffle," "bumfuzzle," and "collywobbles" that dance on the tongue and paint vivid portraits of unusual situations. Take a moment and read about twelve seldom-heard terms that almost seem unreal.

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Have you ever heard the word "kerfuffle"? It is a delightful linguistic oddity that describes a state of mild chaos or disorder.

This peculiar term originated from Scottish dialects in the late 18th century, derived from the Gaelic cur, meaning to twist or bend, combined with fuffle, suggesting disorderly movement or commotion. As with quite a few examples on this list, the very sound of the word itself evokes its meaning.

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Another word that rarely gets thrown around, "discombobulate," aptly describes a state of confusion, disorientation, or bewilderment.

The prefix dis- means negation or reversal, while combobulate is an invention that might have been influenced by similar-sounding words like "discompose" or "discomfit." Together, they form a word that evokes the sensation of being mentally perplexed.

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Another word that describes a state of confusion, "bumfuzzle," originated in the Southern United States in the mid-19th century with an uncertain etymology, possibly arising from a blend of "bamboozle" and "fuddle."

This term embodies the linguistic treasure found in regional dialects, showcasing English's ability to develop expressive terms to portray the complexity of human emotions.

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A word that closes this trilogy of confusion terms, "flummox," also describes a state of bewilderment, perplexity, or confusion.

Making its first appearance in 19th-century England, its exact etymology remains uncertain, possibly derived from combining flummock, a word meaning to bewilder or confuse, with the suffix "-ox," adding emphasis or exaggeration.

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"Flibbertigibbet" is a term that can be used to describe someone who is frivolous or overly talkative. Its origins can be traced back to Old English, where flibbert denoted a frivolous person and gibbet referred to an inconsistent and unstable individual.

The word, as hard to pronounce as it is, serves as an apt definition for a lively yet disorganized individual. Think of someone who, when exposing his thoughts, is enthusiastic yet all over the place.

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We all know a "whippersnapper," even if we probably don't call them that way. The term is used to describe a young and inexperienced person, often with an air of arrogance or impudence.

The word dates back to the 17th century, blending "whip," meaning something small or insignificant, with "snapper," suggesting someone who talks back or is impertinent. It was initially used to mock young men who cracked whips while herding cattle, and it evolved into a light-hearted term teasingly aimed at youthful individuals displaying an excess of self-assurance.

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If you’ve ever heard someone eating, sipping, slurping, or drinking noisily, then you have heard someone "bibble." As with many cases in the English language, the origin of the word is very possibly rooted in onomatopoeia: a written emulation of the very sound that it aims to describe. The word is not to be confused with "nibble," which means "to take small bites" of something.

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One –even less used– cousin of the term "gibberish," "gobbledygook" is an endearing linguistic oddity used to describe incomprehensible or jumbled language, often mixed with obscure slang or meaningless words.

Coined in the 1940s by Texas Congressman Maury Maverick, this term blends "gobble," reminiscent of turkeys' sounds, with "gook," signifying muddled, unclear speech. Initially aimed at criticizing bureaucratic language, it was eventually used to describe similar discourse in every other sphere as well.

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The kind of phobia that will turn anybody’s home into a library, "abibliophobia," is a charmingly peculiar term that describes the fear of running out of reading material or being without books.

While not officially recognised in psychological dictionaries, its origins can be traced to the Greek roots a-, meaning without, biblio-, referring to books, and -phobia, denoting fear. This word defines the anxiety book lovers might experience at the thought of an empty shelf or an absence of new reading material.

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A regional dialect, "cattywampus," is a term that describes either something positioned diagonally or something that is going the wrong way.

In either case, the word evokes a sense of playful disorder or misalignment and is an example of the English language's knack for inventing expressions that illustrate situations that aren't quite straight or are plain wrong, but in a lighter sense.

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A funny word to describe a not-so-funny sensation, "collywobbles" refers to a feeling of nervousness, unease, or fluttering in the stomach.

Its origins trace back to the 19th century, merging "colly," an old English term for coal dust or darkness, with "wobbles," implying an unsettled or wobbly sensation. Initially describing a feeling of stomach discomfort or anxiety, it evolved to signify a broader sense of nervousness or apprehension.

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The most fitting word on this list was left for the last. "Unwonted" is a very rarely used term that describes something uncommon, unusual, or not customary.

Coming from Old English, it combines "un-" as a prefix denoting negation or reversal and "wonted," which is derived from wont, meaning accustomed or habitual. An unwonted word in itself, this was a much more used term in the days of Charles Dickens and Henry James, when prose and spoken language were more adorned.

Word!

How do dictionaries decide which words to add each year?

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If you’ve ever wondered how new words like "binge-watch" or "hangry" end up in the dictionary, you’re not alone. Lexicographers—the editors who compile dictionaries—track how often and how widely a word is used before giving it a permanent spot. If enough people are saying it, writing it, and using it to mean the same thing, it just might be a good fit!

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Lexicographers track language by reading books, articles, and online content. They watch for new words, shifts in meaning, and changes in grammar.

They also study specialized terms from fields like medicine and technology, since these words often move into everyday use.

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Frequency plays a key role in whether a word makes it into the dictionary. A word must be used often enough to become part of everyday language. It can't be a one-time trend or a fad.

Frequent and consistent use across different sources shows that it's widely understood. That’s what helps it earn a place in the dictionary.

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For a new word to enter the dictionary, it must be widely used across various groups. It can't be limited to a small group, niche community, or a tribal thing.

The word should appear in different contexts and be used by a broad range of people. Widespread usage shows it has become part of the common language.

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Another requirement for adding a new word to the dictionary is that it must be meaningful. It should clearly express a specific idea or concept.

If the word doesn’t have a clear, understandable meaning, it won’t be considered. Clarity is essential for a word to earn its place in the dictionary.

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The next factor for dictionary inclusion is longevity. A word should show signs that it will stick around and not fade into obscurity shortly after emerging.

Even though language evolves quickly, words that disappear quickly or seem like short-lived trends usually don’t make the cut.

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To be included in the dictionary, a new word must have a stable meaning. It should consistently represent the same idea or concept over time.

If the definition shifts too often or remains unclear, the word is less likely to be accepted. Dictionaries prioritize reliability and consistency in usage.

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When considering the inclusion of a new word, lexicographers collect citations that show the word in context, along with the sources where it appears.

These citations help track how the word is used over time and support its case for entry into the dictionary. They are essential for verifying both meaning and consistent usage.

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After a proposed new word meets all the criteria, it is reviewed by the dictionary’s editorial board.

The board evaluates its usage and meaning, then decides whether to include it and how to define it accurately.

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Some words, while valid, are not suited for dictionaries and instead belong in encyclopedias. Dictionaries define words, while encyclopedias explain specific people, places, or things. That’s why proper nouns usually appear in encyclopedias rather than dictionaries.

For example, a dictionary defines sly as an adjective, but an encyclopedia might list Sly, the 1920 Italian opera by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari.

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Some dictionaries, such as the Oxford English Dictionary, allow the public to suggest new words and submit examples of their usage.

These contributions help lexicographers stay current with language changes and identify emerging trends.