UNWONTED TERMS FOR UNCOMMON SITUATIONS

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

Image: Patrick Tomasso

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.

Image: Hans-Peter Gauster

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.

Image: Uday Mittal

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.

Image: Michele Tresemer

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.

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

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.

Image: Priscilla Du Preez

"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.

Image: Papaioannou Kostas

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.

Image: Jaritos Mexican Soda

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.

Image: Towfiqu Barbhuiya

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.

Image: Susan Q Yin

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.

Image: Balint Szabo

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.

Image: Nik Shuliahin

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.

Image: Nick Fewings

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.

Every day, healthy food

What does science say? Foods with proven health benefits

Image: Chantal Garnier

All food is good in moderation, but we know some to be better than others. Green leaves, healthy fats, and nuts are all regarded as healthy—yet, are they really beneficial? What do they actually do? Let’s have a look at what science tells us.

Image: Timo Volz

According to science, berries are among the most beneficial fruits. They are a source of multiple vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C, K, B9, manganese, magnesium, and copper. They are a good antioxidant source —meaning they help prevent cell damage— and they are proven to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, and memory loss. Also, for the benefit of all wallets involved, they have the same properties after being frozen.

Image: Dominik Martin

Ginger is a common ingredient in wellness shots and teas, but what does it do? Besides being rich in antioxidants, ginger is highly beneficial for gut health. Gingerol —one of the main compounds of ginger— helps with digestion, relieves nausea symptoms, prevents food from fermenting and causing bloating, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Image: Martin Moore

Like other fruits with a high water content —such as watermelon or strawberries— eating cantaloupe is an easy and tasty way to stay hydrated during the warmer months. But its benefits don’t stop at that: cantaloupe is also one of the fruits highest in beta-carotene, a pigment that our organism will then convert into Vitamin A, crucial for eye health and our immune system.

Image: Volodymyr Hryshchenko

Who said spices were only there for flavor? Besides enhancing the taste and appearance of dishes, they can promote health benefits. Paprika has been proven to be rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene, and, like most peppers, it has capsaicin, which helps reduce pain and inflammation.

Image: zimt2003

Adding legumes to your diet is a delicious and easy way to introduce fiber, protein, and low-calorie carbohydrates, which are beneficial for your gut health, your cholesterol, and your insulin levels. Moreover, lima beans are high in nutrients such as potassium, iron, magnesium, and manganese.

Image: engin akyurt

Nuts in general are regarded as a healthy snack, and rightfully so, but why? They are a source of healthy fats, protein, and vitamins, and because they are very filling, they are a good pick-me-up. When it comes to walnuts, studies have shown that they help reduce cholesterol, control blood sugar, and promote brain health.

Image: Phillip Larking

Like other leafy greens, spinach is high in fiber while being low in calories. But spinach is much more than that. It’s packed full of nutrients —Vitamin A, C, K1, B6, B9, E, iron, calcium, folic acid, and potassium, to name a few— and has several plant compounds that are beneficial for your heart, blood pressure, and immune system.

Image: Natalie Kinnear

Any grandma will tell you that garlic is good for your health, and they would be right. Besides being known for its antibacterial properties, garlic also helps reduce the ‘bad’ cholesterol while increasing the ‘good’, which helps your overall blood health. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, boosts your immune system, and promotes gut health.

Image: Brenda Godinez

Are chia seeds good for something else than pudding? They sure are! They are a great source of fiber, which contributes to gut health, digestion, and blood sugar levels, while also being high in antioxidants and omega-3, a healthy fat that our body can’t produce by itself.

Image: ubert

Fish in general is regarded as a healthy source of protein and healthy fats, but some people find it difficult to cook or might dislike the smell or texture of fresh fish. This is why tuna is such a great option: it’s readily available in cans, it's already cooked, and can be used in several ways, while still being as nutritious as fresh fish.