Category: Words Seldom Seen
Words Seldom Seen: Interregnum
Interregnum Noun: The period between governments. Originally the period between kings (regnum is Latin for something to do with kings) It has also come to mean the period between two significant event... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Tawdry
Tawdry Adjective: Showy but upon closer examination cheap. When applied to people it means indecent or in poor taste. Examples: “The election has been full of tawdry attempts to smear opponents.... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Exculpatory
Exculpatory Adjective: Tending or serving to clear from alleged fault or guilt. Example: “The hair sample found at the crime scene was not exculpatory for the accused.” Photo is of the int... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Perigee
Perigee Noun: the point in the orbit of a moon or a satellite at which it is nearest to the object it is orbiting. Example: “At its perigee the moon is roughly 224,000 miles from earth.” U... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Apogee
Apogee Noun: Original meaning: The farthest or highest point, particularly of an orbit. Evolved (slang) meaning: The most successful, popular or powerful event or thing. Example one: “At its apo... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Whey
Whey Noun: the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained in the cheese making process. Example: “Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet eating her curds and whey.” Pronouncia... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Spoonerism
Spoonerism Noun: a verbal error in which a speaker accidentally or deliberately transposes the initial sounds or letters of two or more words, often to humorous effect. Examples: “Barter wottle” f... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Miasma
Miasma Noun: A nasty smell of rot, a stench. Sometimes used figuratively to indicate that something is not right. Example one: The miasma rising from the swamp made the crew uneasy. Example two: Senat... Read More