Yes, you read that correctly
What is a Gobbledygook? Very few people know what these 10 words mean.
Published on September 24, 2024
Image: Kathas_Fotos
Words like "cattywampus" and "frou-frou" are more than just fun to say. Sometimes, etymology can take unexpected twists and leave us with gems like "erf" and "dragoon." To some, these are everyday words in areas like cuisine or urban planning, but for many fellow readers, they are a random assortment of letters that might require a second glance. Explore this list of words that ring funny—to most people, at least—and see if any of them belong to your area of expertise.
Cleek
Image: Rachel Claire
"Cleek" might sound like a children’s code word or an onomatopoeia, but it’s been a noun and a verb for centuries. A golfer saying, "I think I'll cleek this one," or a Scotsman talking about how he "cleeked" or "claught" a fish from the river—both would be accurate uses. The word "cleek" has often been used in golf, where it refers to an old-fashioned club used for striking a ball with precision. Over time, the word has come to be a synonym for catching, snatching, or grasping.
The word "cleek" originates from the Middle English word "cleke," which is derived from Old Norse "kleggi," meaning a large hook. The term first appeared in English texts around the 15th century, primarily in Scotland. In the context of golf, "cleek" began to appear in records by the late 17th century, when the sport was becoming increasingly popular in Scotland.
Erf
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No, it’s not a conversational filler interchangeable with "umm" or "err." "Erf" is legal jargon that refers to an urban plot of land, especially in South Africa. The term originated there back in the early days of Cape Colony, when the land was being systematically parceled and recorded.
The term is most commonly used in South African English to describe a parcel of land or property development in legal contexts. It has its origins in Dutch, from the word "erf" meaning an inheritance or an inherited piece of land. The term was brought to South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 17th century, as part of the broader Afrikaans language, which developed from Dutch.
Octothorpe
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It’s neither a sea creature nor a Marvel villain. An "octothorpe" is something much closer to us that many use every day. It refers to the humble "#" symbol, known by many names: pound sign, number sign, hash, and more recently, "hashtag."
The word "octothorpe" is believed to have been coined in the 1960s by Bell Telephone Laboratories employees as they worked on developing touch-tone dialing. Octo refers to the eight tip ends of the symbol, while thorpe remains mysterious—some versions say it may derive from the Old English word thorp, meaning field or village, which alludes to the eight spaces around the central square. The symbol itself has a much older history, originating as a scribal abbreviation in medieval Latin to indicate weight in pounds (lb).
Frou-frou
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"Frou-frou" does sound like what it means—fluffy and a bit over-the-top. You might say someone with a taste for elaborate, frilly clothing has a "frou-frou" style. The word is an adjective or noun used for a flair for lace, ruffles, and particularly ornate decoration or fashion. It can be used endearingly as well as mockingly.
The word "frou-frou" comes from French, where it originally referred to the rustling sound of silk or other fine fabrics. It first appeared in English in the late 19th century, around the 1870s, at a time when ornate aesthetics were very much in vogue. Today, though not used much, the word is still associated with whimsical fashion that mixes elegance with excessive detail.
Cattywampus
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Your room might look cattywampus after having guests over, or the picture frames might be all cattywampus after your cat took a stroll through the shelf. The funny and informal term is reserved for things that appear askew, crooked, or not quite right, whether objects or projects that went off course.
The origin of the word is unclear, though it’s believed to be a blend of Southern American slang with elements of Scots-Irish language brought over by settlers. The term first appeared in print in the early 19th century and has been used in American English ever since, particularly in the South. Some theories suggest that "catawampus," an earlier variant, may have derived from cata, meaning diagonal or crooked, combined with wampus, a playful term for a strange or imaginary creature.
Penuche
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"Penuche" might sound like an elegant garment bought in France, but it’s actually a sweet treat. Pronounced "puh-NOO-chee," it’s a type of fudge made primarily from brown sugar, butter, and milk. It has a distinct light brown color and a flavor that’s often described as somewhere between caramel and maple. It’s particularly popular in New England and the southern United States, where it’s sometimes made as a holiday treat or sold in old-fashioned candy shops.
The word "penuche" may derive from the Spanish word "panocha," a coarse grade of sugar made from unrefined cane. Penuche fudge became popular in the United States during the 19th century, especially in regions where brown sugar was readily available.
Boondoggle
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A road, building, or startup that never got finished might be referred to as a "boondoggle." It means that it was a total waste of time or money. Silly as the word sounds, it’s often used as a serious accusation: The people involved in a boondoggle might have been only pretending to be productive over unnecessary tasks.
The word was originally coined to name the braided leather lanyards made by Boy Scouts. However, during the 1930s, critics of the New Deal began using the term to describe programs they considered wasteful. The term caught on, and by the mid-20th century, it was commonly used to refer to any deceitful or unnecessary project, particularly one funded by taxpayers.
Dragooned
Image: Patricia Jekki
Yes, the term might be distantly related to the mythical creature. When someone gets "dragooned," they are experiencing the all-too-familiar feeling of being pressured into something against their will, often with a touch of resentment.
The term originally referred to a type of cavalry soldier from European armies in the 17th and 18th centuries. Dragoons were known for their fierce, often brutal tactics, and the label came to symbolize the act of forcing someone to comply with demands through intimidation or coercion. The name "dragoon" is believed to come from the French word dragon, referring to the firearm carried by these soldiers, which was said to "breathe fire" like a dragon.
Persnickety
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If you check whether the napkins at a dinner party are all perfectly folded, you might be a bit persnickety. The adjective describes being overly particular, fussy, or meticulous, to the point of amusing or annoying others.
The word is rooted in the older Scottish word "pernickety," from the late 19th century. "Pernickety" itself is believed to be a combination of per, a prefix meaning thoroughly, and nick, possibly derived from "knick-knack," referring to a small detail or object.
Gobbledygook
Image: Raphael Schaller
It might sound like something a turkey might warble, but "gobbledygook" is a term that refers to overly complex or unintelligible language. When an explanation is filled with jargon or technical terms that replace the more straightforward meaning, it can be called out for being gobbledygook, or pretentious.
The word was coined in 1944 by Maury Maverick, a U.S. Congressman, who used it to criticize the convoluted language of government documents. So, yes, he made up a term to evoke the sound of nonsensical speech. Maverick’s intention was to denounce pompous legislative and bureaucratic writing and aim to make it less ambiguous and more direct.
