Word Warriors Are Bringing Back These Long-Lost Words

Are you searching for captivating topics to spark conversations at your next social gathering or kaffeeklatsch? Elevate your discourse by incorporating the latest linguistic treasures unveiled by Wayne State University's Word Warriors program.

The Word Warriors initiative is dedicated to resurrecting forgotten yet intriguing words. The annual list, curated from both public submissions and website administrators, showcases vocabulary contributions from individuals worldwide.

Without further ado, here are the Word Warriors' 2024 picks for words that deserve a revival:

  • Blatherskite:Definition: A person who talks at great length without making much sense. Example: The cable TV commentator was a blatherskite who produced 30 minutes of angry nonsense each night.
  • Curglaff:Definition: The shock felt when one first plunges into cold water. Example: He dove into the pool without thinking, and the curglaff caused him to shriek when he came up for air.
  • Dollop:Definition: A shapeless mass or blob of something, especially soft food. Example: He sat down to enjoy a nice steak, grilled asparagus, and a baked potato topped with a giant dollop of sour cream.
  • Kaffeeklatsch:Definition: An informal social gathering at which coffee is served. Example: After the kids got on the bus, the parents headed to the porch for their morning kaffeeklatsch.
  • Pawky:Definition: Having a mocking or cynical sense of humor. Example: He had a pawky wit that undercut his superiors' self-importance.
  • Petrichor:Definition: A pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather. Example: He walked outside after the storm, the petrichor lifting his spirits as he hiked around the campground.
  • Pettifogger:Definition: An inferior legal practitioner, especially one who deals with petty cases or employs dubious practices. Example: He started with dreams of being a Supreme Court justice, but in practice, he was just another ambulance-chasing pettifogger.
  • Rawgabbit:Definition: A person who speaks confidently but ignorantly. Example: My social media feed is filled with rawgabbits trying to explain everything from epidemiology to engineering.
  • Thunderplump:Definition: A heavy fall of rain during a thunderstorm. Example: He'd hoped he could get home before the storm got too bad but found himself instead jogging through a soggy thunderplump.
  • Twankle:Definition: To twang with the fingers on a musical instrument. Example: He sat on the porch as dusk rolled in, twankling an old childhood favorite on the banjo.

Source: Wayne University

Photo: Getty


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content