Lost in time

You probably have obambulated at least once. 10 unusual words explained

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Life is always evolving, and because language is a reflection of life, it changes too, sometimes in ways we hardly notice. English is full of beautiful terms that we use every day, but it also holds many other gorgeous words that, unfortunately, we have stopped using over time. Cultural, social, and technological changes shape our vocabulary, causing many words -despite their charm- to fall into disuse. If you want to remember 10 beautiful English words that we don't use much anymore -but definitely should- this article is for you!

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Let's start with a word that might test some people's patience. Well, not the word itself, but what it means.

"Murmuration" is a beautiful word in our language that refers to a soft, continuous sound, like the muttering of a crowd: ever-present but with no distinct voice standing out. A bit unsettling, isn't it? But despite its meaning, this word has a lovely, almost poetic sound. Just give it a try and say it out loud!

This noun comes from the Latin verb murmurare ("to murmur"). In English, the term has been used since the 14th century, and while it has fallen into disuse in recent decades, it can still be found in literary or formal contexts.

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If you want to sound elegant and sophisticated, this is the perfect word for your next conversation. However, be aware that most people might not be familiar with it, as it hasn't been a part of everyday language for a long time.

"Obambulate" means to walk around or wander without a specific direction or destination. For instance, you might say, "My grandfather enjoyed obambulating through the city streets during the evening hours." Quite fancy, right?

This verb in English comes from the Latin obambulare, which has the same meaning. The Latin word combines the prefix ob- ("around") with ambulare ("to walk").

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"Crapulous" comes from the Latin crapula, which means "intoxication," and crapulentus, which means "drunk." The word in English has a similar meaning. A very clear example would be: "After the big party last night, the man woke up on the couch feeling crapulous and vowed never to drink again."

The word entered the English language in the 17th and 18th centuries to describe someone suffering from the effects of excessive drinking or eating. Although its use began to decline in the 19th century, this word remains a refined alternative for describing a hangover day. After a fabulous night, a crapulous day probably awaits.

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If a friend is asking you for advice about a situation or decision, it's wise to suggest they take some time to "recogitate" their conclusions before making a move. But what does this verb actually mean?

"Recogitate" means to think again or reconsider something very carefully. It comes from the Latin recogitare, formed from the prefix re- (again) and cogitare (to think). Its most frequent use in English was seen in formal written contexts beginning in the 18th century, but as early as the 19th century, its use began to decline, and the word was replaced by others, such as "reconsider."

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This word is related to one of the other terms we have already mentioned in this list. If "obambulate" is the verb that describes the action of wandering without an apparent destination, "solivagant" is the adjective that represents the person who does it.

"Solivagant" thus describes a solitary wanderer. This beautiful word that carries an air of mystery and introspection comes from the Latin solus ("alone") and vagari ("to wander").

A passage in a book might read, for example, "The author rejoiced in his days as a solivagant, wandering the quiet streets of that remote neighborhood." While this word has largely fallen out of everyday use, it's a good reminder of our language's beauty.

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While this word continues to appear in formal and informal contexts, its usage has been declining in recent years.

We are talking about the term "ostentatious," an adjective used to describe someone or something that exhibits extravagance with the intention of impressing. Though often used with a touch of criticism, we can't deny the elegance of this word's form.

The term comes from the Latin ostentare, which means "to show off" or "to display." It entered English around the 17th century and was long used in our language, although recently, it has been replaced by other terms such as "showy."

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This is one of our favorites! The word "cacography" has an interesting meaning and also a great sound.

This beautiful word entered the English language in the 16th century and was used to describe bad handwriting or misspellings. It doesn't come from Latin but from the combination of the Greek words kakos, meaning "bad," and graphein, meaning "to write." As you probably suspected, it can be thought of as the opposite of "calligraphy," which is beautiful or artistic writing.

If you want to use it in a sentence, you might say, "When I was a kid, the teachers often criticized my cacography in school."

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This is one of those words that sounds beautiful but has a not-so-beautiful meaning.

Here, we have another adjective, "contumelious," used to describe someone who is insolent, rude, disdainful, or arrogant. "Contumelious" (we just can't stop pronouncing it) comes from the Latin word contumelia, meaning "insult" or "abuse." The term entered Middle English around the 14th century, and its usage began to decline in the 19th century.

If you want to sound refined, you can say something like, "I won't tolerate their contumelious attitude, as it is a clear sign of disrespect."

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Those who struggle to meet their responsibilities, don't respond as well, or have difficulty accepting and following rules might be described with this word.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "peccable" is an adjective used to describe "someone liable or prone to sin: susceptible to temptation or error." This word in English is derived from the Latin word peccare ("to sin" or "to commit a fault") and the Latin adjective peccabilis ("liable to sin").

Due to the general beliefs of the time, this word was more commonly used during the 17th and 18th centuries, but its usage began to decline in the 19th century.

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No, this word doesn't refer to the big vehicle that carries passengers. It's something a bit different.

Although it's a bit simpler and less melodious than the other words on this list, "buss" still has its own charm. Want to know what it means? "Buss" can be both a noun meaning "a kiss" and a verb meaning "to kiss." Have you ever heard this word or used it in your conversations or letters?

It comes from the Old French word baiser, which also means "to kiss." The Old French term itself comes from the Latin basiāre, which had the same meaning, too.

The best-kept secrets in the animal kingdom

You should stay away from these 12 mammals with unusual defenses

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Did you know that there is a venomous primate? And what about a species of cetacean that expels a reddish substance into the water to escape predators? These are just two examples of some of the most extraordinary defense mechanisms among mammals; however, there are many more! From amazing behaviors to unique abilities, here we share 12 mammals’ best methods of protection for you to discover some of the most unusual and fun facts in the animal kingdom!!

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Found in Africa and southern Europe, the crested porcupine is one of the best-protected mammals. Almost its entire body is covered with quills with black-and-white banding, which helps predators spot them from a distance. When threatened, the porcupine shakes its tail quills, producing a rattling sound. If this doesn’t scare the enemy away, it charges backward to stab with its quills.

These bristles break off easily, and once they enter the predator's body, tiny barbs on the tips can become embedded deeper into the wound, potentially damaging blood vessels or even internal organs. Many inexperienced predators may die as a result of porcupine-quill injuries.

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Unlike its larger and better-known relatives, the pygmy sperm whale is so small that it relies on other mechanisms to defend itself against predators. This whale uses a highly unusual defense: it expels a reddish-brown substance through its anus, which it then agitates with its tail to create a large, dark cloud in the water. This cloud obscures the whale from view, allowing it to escape quickly and evade predators.

Although other cetaceans, such as the dwarf sperm whale, use similar tactics, this is a highly uncommon defense among mammals. In fact, it closely resembles the defense mechanisms found in cephalopods like squids and octopuses, which, ironically, are among the pygmy sperm whale’s favorite prey!

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The Arctic hare, the largest species of hare in North America, lives in the Arctic tundra and other icy biomes. Although it is a very fast mammal, its relatively small size means it must rely on ingenious ways to defend itself against potential predators. In its case, the most effective weapon is its fur.

Arctic hares are brown or grey during the summer, but when winter arrives, their coats turn white. This seasonal camouflage allows them to remain hidden in the snow. But that's not all—females build insulated, hidden shelters, and hares often form large groups to stay warm and avoid predators, increasing their chances of survival in the harsh Arctic environment.

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The pangolin has so many ingenious defense mechanisms that it has few natural enemies to worry about. For one, its body is almost completely covered in large, overlapping scales, giving it the appearance of a giant pine cone. It also has large, powerful claws on its forelimbs, although it rarely needs to use them.

Why? Because when threatened, a pangolin can curl into a tight ball, making it nearly impossible for most predators to attack. The sharp edges of its scales provide strong protection, almost like natural armor. In addition, pangolins can lash out with their heavy tails, causing serious injuries. And there’s more! If all else fails, a pangolin’s last resort is to spray a foul-smelling substance from its anus. Better to admire this fantastic animal from afar, don’t you think?

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Another mammal with bulky armor is the armadillo. However, in most species, this turtle-like shell offers little real protection against large predators, so they often rely on digging into the ground to escape danger. Among all armadillo species, only the South American three-banded armadillo depends heavily on its armor for protection.

Thanks to its loosely jointed shell, which allows a greater range of movement, it can roll into a perfect ball, making it nearly untouchable to most predators. During an attack, the three-banded armadillo not only closes itself tightly but also uses an additional clever trick: it creates a loud snapping sound that may startle potential enemies.

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Everybody knows that the idiom playing possum means "playing dead." But do you know where it comes from? The American opossum has a unique way of reacting to danger. If typical mammalian defenses—such as growling, baring its teeth, and biting—fail, this adorable furry animal collapses to the ground with its mouth open and remains completely motionless, feigning death. It even releases a putrid, corpse-like odor!

Since many predators prefer to kill their own prey, they usually leave the seemingly dead opossum alone. What’s most remarkable about this marsupial’s defense is that it’s not a conscious act—it’s a physiological response triggered by extreme stress. The opossum can remain in this comatose-like state for several minutes to a few hours, only regaining mobility once the threat has passed.

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Yes, the giraffe is the tallest animal in the world, and you might think that alone would be enough to keep any other animal away. However, this gentle giant still needs to be cautious. While adult giraffes are relatively safe, young giraffes are vulnerable to predators such as lions, hyenas, and crocodiles.

Giraffes have several defense mechanisms. Their long legs allow them to run at high speeds, and they can deliver powerful kicks with their hooves, strong enough to kill a lion. Their long necks not only help them reach tall trees but also serve as formidable weapons: they can use them like clubs, swinging them with great force in a behavior known as "necking." Additionally, their fur produces chemicals with a strong odor, which may have antibacterial or insect-repelling properties and possibly serve as a mild deterrent to predators.

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A dormouse is a small rodent found in Europe, Africa, and Asia. It gets its name from its long hibernation period. Like most mammals, a dormouse's primary method of defense is to bite an attacker. But if this fails—or if it's confronted by a much larger animal—it has an ace up its sleeve.

Dormice usually escape predators by fleeing, but with a twist. The skin on a dormouse’s tail is very loose, so if a predator grabs it by the tail, the skin can slip off, allowing the animal to escape. Once safe, the exposed part may heal, but the tail is permanently shortened. This form of autotomy is common in reptiles and invertebrates but extremely rare in mammals, making dormice a particularly unique and fascinating creature.

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Okay, you probably know about this one, but the skunk’s powerful defensive method definitely deserves a place on this list. Most of us have experienced the unpleasant task of covering our noses to avoid the foul smell of a skunk. But do you know how it works? A skunk’s chemical weapon is produced by a pair of glands located near its anus. These glands are so well developed that they can spray the fluid up to nine and a half feet.

Skunks also have remarkably good aim and usually target the predator’s face. If the spray hits an animal’s eyes, it can cause temporary blindness and intense irritation—another reason to give these animals plenty of space. That said, skunks use their chemical defense only as a last resort, since their supply is limited and it can take up to ten days for the glands to fully recharge.

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Have you ever heard of pottos? Found in the jungles of Africa, pottos are a small nocturnal species of primate. There are many curious things about this mammal, but what is most striking is its very unusual defense mechanism. Due to their slow movements, pottos are vulnerable to several predators. To protect themselves, they have enlarged neural spines on their vertebrae that protrude from the neck and shoulders.

These tubercles, or bony growths, have pointed tips that are probably used as weapons. The spines may also serve as a kind of shield, protecting the potto’s neck from lethal bites, as predators often aim for the neck or back of the head of their helpless prey.

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The platypus is famous for being one of the few mammals that lay eggs, but did you know it also has an unusual defense mechanism? The male platypus has sharp, retractable spurs on its hind feet connected to venom glands. When threatened or grabbed by a predator, the platypus kicks with these spurs, injecting venom.

Although the venom can cause severe pain and incapacitate medium-sized animals, it is not lethal to humans. However, people who have been stung by a platypus report that the pain is among the most intense they have ever experienced. Interestingly, only the male platypus produces this venom.

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This 13-inch-long, nocturnal primate found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia may look harmless—even cute. Yet it has a powerful secret that protects it from predators. The slow loris has poison glands on its elbows. But that’s not all: it can lick the poison and spread it over its fur. Female lorises even cover their babies in this poison before leaving them to go hunting.

Because the slow loris sucks the poison into its mouth, it effectively has a venomous bite as well. When threatened, it can bite and inject the venom into its attacker, causing intense pain and swelling. In fact, some people have died from anaphylactic shock after being bitten by slow lorises. Who knew such a thing as a poisonous primate existed? Consider yourself warned!