Yes, you read that correctly

What is a Gobbledygook? Very few people know what these 10 words mean.


Published on September 24, 2024


Credit: 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.

1

Cleek

Credit: 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.

2

Erf

Credit: Paul Hanaoka

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.

3

Octothorpe

Credit: Pixabay

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).

4

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.

5

Cattywampus

Credit: Aleksandra Sapozhnikova

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.

6

Penuche

Credit: Zaaruli

"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.

7

Boondoggle

Credit: Paracordstyle

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.

8

Dragooned

Credit: 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.

9

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.

10

Gobbledygook

Credit: Aaron Burden

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.


TREATS FROM MOTHER NATURE

Ever Heard About Blood Falls? Read About 10 Unusual Natural Phenomena!


Published on September 24, 2024


Credit: Kalen Emsley

Mother nature is a constant and endless surprise. Around the world, one can find the most extraordinary spots or the most unusual natural wonders. If you had the chance to travel, you probably came across some breathtaking views, amazing waterfalls, pristine waters, or the snowiest mountains. Beautiful as these places might be, some spots are a whole new level of gorgeous.

From blood waterfalls (You read that right!) to pink waters, we’ve gathered ten places that will make you gasp in awe!

1

Blood Falls - Antarctica

Credit: Matt Palmer

Antarctica is both the biggest desert in the world and one of the most mysterious places. Considering the harsh weather and the slippery ice covering the area, it is only logical that a small part of it has been investigated. Imagine how surprising it must have been for explorers who, in 1911, saw a stream of blood coming down a glacier into a river.

That’s when they discovered the Blood Falls and the mystery behind its origin was only solved in 2017: This bloodstream is only oxidized iron in brine saltwater.Creepy, yet fascinating, isn’t it?

2

Frozen Bubbles - Canada

Credit: Tom Keldenich

Extreme weather conditions usually lead to extreme yet beautiful views and Canada is not the exception here. During the winter, in Abrahan Lake in Alberta, a curious thing happens: Underwater, methane gas bubbles get trapped forming frozen bubbles.

The view is otherworldly yet highly dangerous and another consequence of the greenhouse effect. Because of the risk of inflammation, only a match near the bubbles could cause a massive explosion.

Other than that, one can only enjoy the view and wait for the onset of spring to see the bubbles burst naturally.

3

Pink Lake Hiller - Australia

Credit: Urlaubstracker

If you enjoy sitting by the water with a good book by your side and fresh juice poured into your cup, this place might make it to your bucket list. But you won’t find blue water here. No, blue water is just too normal.

In Lake Hiller, Australia, the water is pink, simple as that! Due to the presence of some unique microalgae, which produce a pink pigment, the water in this lake is this pretty color.

Contrary to what one may think, you can swim and everything in this lake. Although we don’t recommend you drink it since it is quite salty!

4

Sky Mirror - Malaysia

Credit: Alexey Marchenko

We all enjoy pristine waters, right? There is a certain magic to dipping your toes in the water and seeing them perfectly. But the waters of Sasaran Beach take this experience to the next level.

Specifically during the new moon and the full moon periods, the water in the beach turns into a mirror, and the sky and water become one.

This phenomenon takes place because, during that time, the tides are at their lowest and the sand is as smooth as it can be. It is known as "Mirror of the Sky" and it is a true wonder.

5

Rolling Stones - United States

Credit: Jasper van der Meij

Don’t worry, we won’t be painting anything black here. True enough, Rolling Stones is an iconic band, but what you probably didn’t know is that it is a natural phenomenon in the U.S. to visit too.

Both visible in the Death Valley National Park and at Little Bonnie Claire Playa, this geological phenomenon involves rocks rolling down a valley as they leave distinct trails. They can be quite heavy and their movement is the result of ice breaking in winter pods triggered by sunny days. When the ice melts, the rocks are driven by the wind and roll down.

6

Fairy Circles - Namibia

Credit: Keith Hardy

Deserts are intimidating and intriguing, but they can also raise feelings of calmness and peace. Now, the Namib Desert is different than the rest. How? Well, all scattered around the desert**, you can find** circular patches called fairy circles.

This phenomenon is the result of two things: a lack of water and vegetation in the desert and the action of termites. The few plants that try to make it fight for water and eventually disappear leaving this eerie trail behind. That is when the termites come into play, as they take over the patches. If you think this is unique, wait and see what’s ahead in this list!

7

Light Pillars

Credit: Adithya Holehonnur

You probably heard and even saw the aurora borealis in the north, right? Well, these are not auroras, but the process by which this phenomenon takes place is similar and the result is even creepier.

Similar to those spaceship abductions sci-fi movies have shown us, light pillars are beams of light that extend from the sky to the ground in places where temperatures drop way below zero degrees.

This phenomenon is actually an illusion, the result of cold air turning the moisture in the air into crystals. Magic does happen, doesn’t it?

8

Hidden Beach - Mexico

Credit: Roberto Carlos Román Don

If this wasn’t real and easy to witness, no one would ever believe it. As it turns out, back in the 1900s the Mexican military used the Marieta Islands for target practice. Little did they know blasting bombs over and over again in the area would create Hidden Beach.

Even if it is not so hidden nowadays, the beach is only a few miles away from the west coast of Mexico and it is accessible by boat. It is almost invisible to the unaware eye, but, from the air, one can see a crater with bright blue waters within. A perfect spot for a romantic escapade, don’t you think?

9

Lake Baikal - Russia

Credit: Ekaterina Sazonova

This spot in Russia is a true marvel of nature. Lake Baikal holds the collective titles of the oldest, deepest, clearest, and largest freshwater lake in the world.

Now, aside from its titles, what makes it so unique? During the harsh winters, when the temperatures plummet well below freezing, the pristine waters of the lake become stunning ice formations. The turquoise color in them sparkles under the sunlight and creates the illusion of diamonds or gems.

10

Dirty Thunderstorms

Credit: NOAA

It’s very common to be afraid of thunderstorms. It is also pretty common to be scared of volcanos. Now, put those things together, and "fear" takes on a new meaning.

Volcanic thunderstorms, or dirty thunderstorms, take place in the clouds formed by volcanic and plinian eruptions. By this crazy occurrence, volcanos can actually produce lightning and they usually appear between 5 and 10 seconds after the explosion.

We don’t recommend being near an erupting volcano, but to witness the phenom from afar can be quite striking! No pun intended there!

Looking for an extra scoop of literary fun?

Learn more with our Word of the day

quibble

/ˈkwɪb(ə)l/