Cool your vocab

What is a "Moonglade"? 10 uncommon summer words to impress your friends

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Although summer is coming to an end, we are not quite ready to let go yet. There are some pretty English words that, while part of our dictionary, are little known and rarely make their way into everyday conversations. You might have felt the cool touch of "spoondrift," enjoyed watching the "alpenglow," or felt a little "languorous," but you probably have never heard these terms. If you want to discover these and other unfamiliar summer-related words, read on!

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Let's start with a term that covers everything summer: "aestival." This word is an adjective that describes anything related to the summer season, whether it's activities, sensations, processes, or more.

This term comes from Latin. Aestas is the Latin word for "summer," and aestivus means "of summer" or "pertaining to summer." In the 16th century, this word passed into English as "aestival" and is still used today, specifically in scientific contexts, such as biology research.

A clear example of the use of this word would be "The biologist noted the aestival patterns of the migratory birds, which returned to the region during the summer months." Or, more informally, we could just say this is an aestival article.

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One of the joys of summer is the scenery: the rich colors of flowers that have blossomed from spring and the rich, bright green of the summer grass and foliage. If you want to wow everyone by elegantly describing the backyard of your summer home, English dictionaries have an adjective that will come in handy.

"Verdant" is used to describe the lush, green vegetation or the vibrant freshness of plants. It comes from the Latin viridis, which means "green" or "fresh." The word entered English around the 16th century, and today, it still retains the meaning associated with the freshness of the color green. Over time, it has also taken on metaphorical meanings, describing someone who is inexperienced.

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While this is a word with a very, very specific meaning, it's perfect for describing moments at the beach. So, if you find yourself by the ocean, you might get the chance to use it!

Have you ever heard of "spoondrift"? Even if you haven't heard the word before, you're probably familiar with what it describes. "Spoondrift" is a noun for the spray or fine mist of seawater that's blown off the tops of waves by the wind. Beautiful, isn't it?

The word was coined in English in the 19th century, and while it's not part of many Americans' everyday conversations, it's a nice term to incorporate into your summer vocabulary, don't you think?

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While, in recent years, this word has made a comeback, the truth is many people still aren't familiar with the meaning of this term.

"Petrichor" not only has a beautiful sound but also describes a lovely scent you've probably experienced. We're talking about that fresh, earthy aroma that rises after a summer rain.

The term was coined relatively recently, in the 1960s, by combining the Greek words petra, meaning "stone," and ichor, the mythical fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology.

This aroma specifically occurs when rain falls on dry soil or after a period of warm, dry weather. It's produced by a mix of oils and soil compounds that evaporate into the air.

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This is the perfect adjective for summer days. When you're on vacation and the heat is just too much, it's the perfect time to relax, whether chilling in bed with the air conditioning cranked up or drifting on an inflatable raft in the pool.

"Languorous" describes that state of relaxation, typical of those lazy, hot days when doing anything feels like too much effort. It can also be associated with the lack of energy produced by the oppressive heat.

Languorous comes from the Latin languere, meaning "to be weak" or "to be languid," and entered English around the 18th century.

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Just say this word out loud, and you'll want to use it in all your conversations.

"Effulgent" is a lovely adjective that describes something radiant, something that shines brightly, whether in a literal sense or metaphorically. This term is perfect to describe the bright blue of a summer sky, the sunshine sparkle on the water, or the glowing smile of someone enjoying the season.

"Effulgent" comes from the Latin effulgere, which means "to shine forth," and entered English between the 15th and 16th centuries, retaining most of its meaning.

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This is one of those words with a very specific meaning, but it can be incredibly useful at the right moment (and it's undeniably beautiful).

Picture a warm summer evening at a hotel with a perfect view of the mountains, where you can watch the sunset right from your room. Poetic, right? That's the moment when the word "alpenglow" fits perfectly. This noun refers to that reddish light that glows over the mountainsides during sunrise or sunset. We can't help but envy anyone lucky enough to witness such a stunning scene!

This word is different from the rest on this list; it doesn't come from Latin or Greek but from the German word Alpenglühen, a combination of Alpen (referring to the Alps or mountains in general) and glühen ("to glow").

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When it comes to lovely summer scenery, the next word is perfect for describing the beauty of those spectacular moments.

It's late, the sunset has faded, and the reddish and pink hues have left the sky, making way for the protagonist of the night: the moon. Admired by poets and painters, the moon has fascinated humans for centuries, and the word "moonglade" may come in handy to describe our gorgeous natural satellite.

"Moonglade" emerged in the 19th century and refers specifically to the reflection of the moon's glow drawn on a water surface, whether it's a pool, a lake, or the ocean.

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Sky and sea are a perfect summer combination, right? Especially when their colors perfectly match.

The clear, bright blue of the sky has a name: cerulean. This term describes that special shade of blue, often seen in the cloudless summer skies over the beach.

"Cerulean" comes from the Latin caeruleus, which means exactly "sky blue." While the Latin term is quite old, it only entered English around the 19th century and has its most frequent uses in the artistic field. Will you use it the next time you contemplate the sky?

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Now, let's talk about one of summer's most pleasant experiences: that gentle breeze that provides a refreshing break on those hot days. And yes, we have a special word for it.

"Zephyr" is the noun that refers specifically to that soft, gentle breeze, and it has a very interesting origin. The term comes from the Greek Zephyros, the name of the god of the west wind, known as the most favorable wind and associated with the breezes of spring and early summer.

The term entered English through Latin in the 14th century, and from the start, it was associated with its current meaning.

SING IT WRONG

Leave Your Pizza Burning: 10 Famously Misheard Song Lyrics

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Have you ever realized that you’ve been belting out the wrong lyrics to a song for years? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. There’s even a term for phrases we mishear and apply new meanings to: mondegreens. Some misheard lyrics become so widespread that they leave multiple listeners convinced the words they hear are correct. Let’s dive into ten of the most famously misheard lyrics that have made us all hit pause and rewind.

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Singer and songwriter Sting of The Police composed "Message In a Bottle" to illustrate a state of loneliness and disconnection. The first verse talks about a castaway lost at sea, who was presumably involved in some accident or shipwreck. Sting’s distinctive British accent caused confusion in the first line after the song’s chorus. Some listeners wondered if he could have broken his nose in the shipwreck. However, the correct words are "A year has passed since I wrote my note," which makes more sense in a song called "Message In a Bottle."

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The 1971 song "Tiny Dancer" reminds many of a certain actor with a similar-sounding name. Elton John’s pronunciation perplexed some listeners years after the song’s release, especially when Tony Danza’s name became widely recognized for his TV roles. This mondegreen became so widespread in the U.S. that it even made it into an episode of Friends. In that scene, the character Phoebe says that she thinks the most romantic song ever written is the one where Elton John sings "Hold me close, young Tony Danza." For many years since then, people have been deliberately singing the wrong lyrics as a joke.

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"Beast of Burden," by The Rolling Stones, doesn’t mention any pizzas. Mick Jagger’s iconic singing style, however, can make every repetition of "beast of" sound like "pizza" and "burden" like "burning." These misheard lyrics have had listeners giggling since the song’s release in 1978. Some lines of the song were, in fact, improvised by Mick Jagger while Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood played their riffs. However, the line that gives the song its name was not improvised. "I’ll never be your beast of burden" were words written by Keith Richards to thank his band members for their support through hardships.

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Europe’s glam metal 80s anthem "The Final Countdown" was inspired by David Bowie’s song "Space Oddity" and the idea of leaving Earth for another planet. This is why it makes it unlikely for the singer to declare that the team is "herding for peanuts." However, that is what some people heard when Swedish vocalist and songwriter Joey Tempest sang "We’re heading for Venus" after the first chorus. In this case, the grandiose and epic reverb effect used in this space-themed song might be to blame.

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This mondegreen comes from Elvis Presley’s voice. In "Suspicious Minds," the hit song released in 1969, he is singing that he and his lover are caught in a "trap," not a "trout." This song about a couple who mutually fear betrayal was written and recorded by Mark James, but his version failed commercially. It was then offered to Elvis, who gladly included a version of it in his album From Elvis in Memphis. Apparently, however, his pronunciation conjured a funny image in the minds of some listeners.

Elvis’ version of "Suspicious Minds" was so successful that he went on to record another song by Mark James, which became just as memorable: "Always on My Mind."

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This particular mondegreen completely reverses the meaning of the song. "I’m A Believer," originally written and performed by Neil Diamond, caused a few laughs in the version by The Monkees. It was the biggest-selling single of 1967, recorded in just two takes. In this version, the band sang the exact same lyrics as Neil: "Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer." However, some listeners misheard the quote. People found the misinterpretation so funny that T-shirts are now sold with the incorrect phrase.

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Not even a timeless song like "Hotel California" is free from misunderstandings. It is the exact first phrase of the Eagles’ 1976 song. Famously, it describes an eerie hotel that seems idyllic but keeps its guests for life. The lyrics use many vivid and enigmatic images to narrate the story. However, someone driving with Heinz Cool Whip in their hair is not one of them. Instead, vocalist Don Henley begins the song with: "On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair." Despite the silly alternative lyrics, the song won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1978 and solidified the Eagles as one of the top bands of the era.

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This is what some people swear they can hear in Queen’s anthem "We Will Rock You." Instead, Brian May’s composition describes some aloof young man "kicking (his) can all over the place." You’ll notice the word "can" coincides with the clap in the iconic stomp-stomp-clap of the song. Freddie Mercury’s ardent performance, combined with the song's powerful beat, can easily make that final "n" sound like "t" to some listeners. The wrong lyrics have triggered jokes since then, and even today, memes and cartoons about offended cats are associated with the song.

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This one might be attributed to Kurt Cobain, both as the vocalist and lyricist of Nirvana’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit." First, at the point of this line in the grunge anthem, he is screaming. Second, the lyrics of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" are famously cryptic and abstract, and speak of societal containment, so this mondegreen isn’t very far-fetched. The original line "Here we are, now! Entertain us!" of the 1991 song is powerful enough, referring to the expectations placed on Cobain and his generation. However, one characteristic of grunge is slurring and mumbling in the vocal delivery, so misinterpretations are likely.

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ABBA’s pop hit, "Take a Chance on Me," was inspired by morning runs. During his jogs, band member Björn Ulvaeus used to repeat a tck-a-ch-sounding rhythm to himself. He proposed taking that idea to the studio, and thus the rhythmic chorus of this anthem was born. It became a worldwide hit in 1978.

Unbeknownst to them, that very same year, a young man in Hong Kong was having his breakthrough in a kung fu action comedy, Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow. His name was Jackie Chan, and some years later, when hearing ABBA’s song, some people would swear they could hear the superstar’s name being chanted dozens of times.