The 100 Funniest Words in English

AbibliophobiaThe fear of running out of reading material.

AbsquatulateTo leave or abscond with something.

AllegatorSome who alleges.

AnencephalousLacking a brain.

Argle-bargleA loud row or quarrel.

BatrachomyomachyMaking a mountain out of a molehill.

BillingsgateLoud, raucous profanity.

BloviateTo speak pompously or brag.

BlunderbussA gun with a flared muzzle or disorganized activity.

BorborygmA rumbling of the stomach.

BoustrophedonA back and forth pattern.

BowyangA strap that holds the pants legs in place.

BrouhahaAn uproar.

BumbershootAn umbrella.

CallipygianHaving an attractive rear end or nice buns.

CanoodleTo hug and kiss.

CantankerousTesty, grumpy.

CatercorneredDiagonal(ly).

CockalorumA small, haughty man.

CockamamieAbsurd, outlandish.

CodswallopNonsense, balderdash.

CollopA slice of meat or fold of flab.

CollywobblesButterflies in the stomach.

ComeuppanceJust reward, just deserts.

CrapulenceDiscomfort from eating or drinking too much.

CrudivoreAn eater of raw food.

DiscombobulateTo confuse.

DonnybrookAn melee, a riot.

DoozySomething really great.

DudgeonA bad mood, a huff.

EcdysiastAn exotic dancer, a stripper.

EructationA burp, belch.

FardFace-paint, makeup.

FartlekAn athletic training regime.

FatuousUnconsciously foolish.

FilibusterRefusal to give up the floor in a debate to prevent a vote.

FirkinA quarter barrel or small cask.

FlibbertigibbetNonsense, balderdash.

FlummoxTo exasperate.

FolderolNonsense.

FormicationThe sense of ants crawling on your skin.

Fuddy-duddyAn old-fashioned, mild-mannered person.

FurbelowA fringe or ruffle.

FurphyA portable water-container.

GaberlunzieA wandering beggar.

Gardyloo!A warning shouted before throwing water from above.

GastromancyTelling fortune from the rumblings of the stomach.

GazumpTo buy something already promised to someone else.

GobbledygookNonsense, balderdash.

GobemoucheA highly gullible person.

GodwotteryNonsense, balderdash.

GongoozleTo stare at, kibitz.

GonzoFar-out journalism.

GoombahAn older friend who protects you.

HemidemisemiquaverA musical timing of 1/64.

HobbledehoyAn awkward or ill-mannered young boy.

Hocus-pocusDeceitful sleight of hand.

HoosegowA jail or prison.

HootenannyA country or folk music get-together.

JackanapesA rapscallion, hooligan.

KerfuffleAn uproar, mild scandal.

KlutzAn awkward, stupid person.

La-di-daAn interjection indicating that something is pretentious.

LagopodousLike a rabbit's foot.

Lickety-splitAs fast as possible.

LickspittleA servile person, a toady.

LogorrheaLoquaciousness, talkativeness.

LollygagTo move slowly, fall behind.

MalarkeyNonsense, balderdash.

MaverickA loner, someone outside the box.

MollycoddleTo treat too leniently.

MugwumpAn independent politician who does not follow any party.

MumpsimusAn outdated and unreasonable position on an issue.

Namby-pambyWeak, with no backbone.

NincompoopA foolish person.

OocephalusAn egghead.

OrneryMean, nasty, grumpy.

PandiculationA full body stretch.

PanjandrumSomeone who thinks himself high and mighty.

PettifoggerA person who tries to befuddle others with his speech.

PratfallA fall on one's rear.

QueanA disreputable woman.

RambunctiousAggressive, hard to control.

RanivorousFrog-eating

RigmaroleNonsense, unnecessary complexity.

ShenaniganA prank, mischief.

SialoquentSpitting while speaking.

SkedaddleTo hurry somewhere.

SkullduggeryNo good, underhanded dealing.

SlangwhangerA loud abusive speaker or obnoxious writer.

SmellfungusA perpetual pessimist.

SnickersneeA long knife.

SnollygosterA person who can't be trusted.

SnoolA servile person.

TatterdemalionA child in rags.

TroglodyteSomeone or something that lives in a cave.

TurdiformHaving the form of a lark.

UnremacadamizedHaving not been repaved with macadam.

VomitoryAn exit or outlet.

WabbitExhausted, tired, worn out.

WiddershinsIn a contrary or counterclockwise direction.

YahooA rube, a country bumpkin.

@The "at" sign.

The 100 Most Beautiful Words in English

AilurophileA cat-lover.

AssemblageA gathering.

BecomingAttractive.

BeleaguerTo exhaust with attacks.

BroodTo think alone.

BucolicIn a lovely rural setting.

BungalowA small, cozy cottage.

ChatoyantLike a cat's eye.

ComelyAttractive.

ConflateTo blend together.

CynosureA focal point of admiration.

DallianceA brief love affair.

DemesneDominion, territory.

DemureShy and reserved.

DenouementThe resolution of a mystery.

DesuetudeDisuse.

DesultorySlow, sluggish.

DiaphanousFilmy.

DissembleDeceive.

DulcetSweet, sugary.

EbullienceBubbling enthusiasm.

EffervescentBubbly.

EfflorescenceFlowering, blooming.

ElisionDropping a sound or syllable in a word.

ElixirA good potion.

EloquenceBeauty and persuasion in speech.

EmbrocationRubbing on a lotion.

EmollientA softener.

EphemeralShort-lived.

EpiphanyA sudden revelation.

ErstwhileAt one time, for a time.

EtherealGaseous, invisible but detectable.

EvanescentVanishing quickly, lasting a very short time.

EvocativeSuggestive.

FetchingPretty.

FelicityPleasantness.

ForbearanceWithholding response to provocation.

FugaciousFleeting.

FurtiveShifty, sneaky.

GambolTo skip or leap about joyfully.

GlamourBeauty.

GossamerThe finest piece of thread, a spider's silk

HalcyonHappy, sunny, care-free.

HarbingerMessenger with news of the future.

ImbricationOverlapping and forming a regular pattern.

ImbroglioAn altercation or complicated situation.

ImbueTo infuse, instill.

IncipientBeginning, in an early stage.

IneffableUnutterable, inexpressible.

IngnueA nave young woman.

InglenookA cozy nook by the hearth.

InsoucianceBlithe nonchalance.

InureTo become jaded.

LabyrinthineTwisting and turning.

LagniappeA special kind of gift.

LagoonA small gulf or inlet.

LanguorListlessness, inactivity.

LassitudeWeariness, listlessness.

LeisureFree time.

LiltTo move musically or lively.

LissomeSlender and graceful.

LitheSlender and flexible.

LoveDeep affection.

MellifluousSweet sounding.

MoietyOne of two equal parts.

MondegreenA slip of the ear.

MurmurousMurmuring.

NemesisAn unconquerable archenemy.

OffingThe sea between the horizon and the offshore.

OnomatopoeiaA word that sounds like its meaning.

OpulentLush, luxuriant.

PalimpsestA manuscript written over earlier ones.

PanaceaA solution for all problems

PanoplyA complete set.

PasticheAn art work combining materials from various sources.

PenumbraA half-shadow.

PetrichorThe smell of earth after rain.

PlethoraA large quantity.

PropinquityAn inclination.

PyrrhicSuccessful with heavy losses.

QuintessentialMost essential.

RatatouilleA spicy French stew.

RavelTo knit or unknit.

RedolentFragrant.

RiparianBy the bank of a stream.

RippleA very small wave.

ScintillaA spark or very small thing.

SempiternalEternal.

SeraglioRich, luxurious oriental palace or harem.

SerendipityFinding something nice while looking for something else.

SummeryLight, delicate or warm and sunny.

SumptuousLush, luxurious.

SurreptitiousSecretive, sneaky.

SusquehannaA river in Pennsylvania.

SusurrousWhispering, hissing.

TalismanA good luck charm.

TintinnabulationTinkling.

UmbrellaProtection from sun or rain.

UntowardUnseemly, inappropriate.

VestigialIn trace amounts.

WaftureWaving.

WherewithalThe means.

WoebegoneSorrowful, downcast.

1. Kummerspeck (German)Excess weight gained from emotional overeating. Literally, grief bacon.2. Shemomedjamo (Georgian)You know when youre really full, but your meal is just so delicious, you cant stop eating it? The Georgians feel your pain. This word means, I accidentally ate the whole thing."3. Tartle (Scots)The nearly onomatopoeic word for that panicky hesitation just before you have to introduce someone whose name you can't quite remember.4. Mamihlapinatapai (Yaghan language of Tierra del Fuego)This word captures that special look shared between two people, when both are wishing that the other would do something that they both want, but neither want to do.5. Backpfeifengesicht (German)A face badly in need of a fist.6. Iktsuarpok (Inuit)You know that feeling of anticipation when youre waiting for someone to show up at your house and you keep going outside to see if theyre there yet? This is the word for it.7. Pelinti (Buli, Ghana)Your friend bites into a piece of piping hot pizza, then opens his mouth and sort of tilts his head around while making an aaaarrrahh noise. The Ghanaians have a word for that. More specifically, it means to move hot food around in your mouth.8. Greng-jai (Thai)That feeling you get when you don't want someone to do something for you because it would be a pain for them.9. Mencolek (Indonesian)You know that old trick where you tap someone lightly on the opposite shoulder from behind to fool them? The Indonesians have a word for it.10. Faamiti (Samoan)To make a squeaking sound by sucking air past the lips in order to gain the attention of a dog or child.11. Gigil (Filipino)The urge to pinch or squeeze something that is irresistibly cute.12. Yuputka (Ulwa)A word made for walking in the woods at night, its the phantom sensation of something crawling on your skin.13. Zhaghzhagh (Persian)The chattering of teeth from the cold or from rage.14. Vybafnout (Czech)A word tailor-made for annoying older brothersit means to jump out and say boo.15. Fremdschmen (German); Mythpe (Finnish)The kindler, gentler cousins of Schadenfreude, both these words mean something akin to "vicarious embarrassment.16. Lagom (Swedish)Maybe Goldilocks was Swedish? This slippery little word is hard to define, but means something like, Not too much, and not too little, but juuuuust right.17. Plegg (Norwegian)Sandwich Artists unite! The Norwegians have a non-specific descriptor for anything ham, cheese, jam, Nutella, mustard, herring, pickles, Doritos, you name it you might consider putting into a sandwich.18. Layogenic (Tagalog)Remember inCluelesswhen Cher describes someone as a full-on Monetfrom far away, its OK, but up close its a big old mess? Thats exactly what this word means.19. Bakku-shan (Japanese)Or there's this Japanese slang term, which describes the experience of seeing a woman who appears pretty from behind but not from the front.20. Seigneur-terraces (French)Coffee shop dwellers who sit at tables a long time but spend little money.21. Yaarburnee (Arabic)This word is the hopeful declaration that you will die before someone you love deeply, because you cannot stand to live without them. Literally, may you bury me.22. Pana Poo (Hawaiian)Hmm, now where did I leave those keys? he said, pana pooing. It means to scratch your head in order to help you remember something youve forgotten.23. Slampadato (Italian)Addicted to the UV glow of tanning salons? This word describes you.24. Zeg (Georgian)It means the day after tomorrow. OK, we do have "overmorrow" in English, but when was the last time someone used that?25. Cafune (Brazilian Portuguese)Leave it to the Brazilians to come up with a word for tenderly running your fingers through your lovers hair.26. Koi No Yokan (Japanese)The sense upon first meeting a person that the two of you are going to fall in love.27. Kaelling (Danish)You know that woman who stands on her doorstep (or in line at the supermarket, or at the park, or in a restaurant) cursing at her children? The Danes know her, too.28. Boketto (Japanese)Its nice to know that the Japanese think enough of the act of gazing vacantly into the distance without thinking to give it a name.29. Lesprit de lescalier (French)Literally, stairwell wita too-late retort thought of only after departure.30. Cotisuelto (Caribbean Spanish)A word that would aptly describe the prevailing fashion trend among American men under 40, it means one who wears the shirt tail outside of his trousers.31. Packesel (German)The packesel is the person whos stuck carrying everyone elses bags on a trip. Literally, a burro.32. Hygge (Danish)Denmarks mantra, hygge is the pleasant, genial, and intimate feeling associated with sitting around a fire in the winter with close friends.33. Cavoli Riscaldati (Italian)The result of attempting to revive an unworkable relationship. Translates to "reheated cabbage."34. Bilita Mpash (Bantu)An amazing dream. Not just a "good" dream; the opposite of a nightmare.35. Litost (Czech)Milan Kundera described the emotion as a state of torment created by the sudden sight of ones own misery.36. Luftmensch (Yiddish)There are several Yiddish words to describe social misfits. This one is for an impractical dreamer with no business sense.37 & 38. Schlemiel and schlimazel (Yiddish)Someone prone to bad luck. Yiddish distinguishes between the schlemiel and schlimazel, whose fates would probably be grouped under those of the klutz in other languages. The schlemiel is the traditional maladroit, who spills his coffee; the schlimazel is the one on whom it's spilled.

Read the full text here:http://mentalfloss.com/article/50698/38-wonderful-foreign-words-we-could-use-english#ixzz2nDG5xFhq--brought to you by mental_floss!

Weird Words section indexThe wordweirdin this section is interpreted broadly to mean words that refer to obscure or outlandish subjects, are in themselves rare, or which look odd.AAbacot;Abditory;Abecedarian;Abigail;Able-whackets;Absquatulate;Acersecomic;Acronychal;Acrophony;Adipocere;Adoxography;Adumbrate;Adust;Agelastic;Agrestic;Alamagoozlum;Albertopolis;Alegar and beeregar;Alexipharmic;Aliment;Allision;Ampersand;Anadiplosis;Analemmatic;Anamorphosis;Anatine;Anfractuosity;Ansated;Ansible;Anthropodermic;Anti-fogmatic;Antimacassar;Apocope;Aposematic;Aposiopesis;Apozem;Apricate;Arenaceous;Argosy;Aristology;Asparagus;Astrobleme;Astrobolism;Ataraxy;Atrabilious;Attercop;Austringer;Autohagiography.BBackronym;Bafflegab;Balderdash;Balductum;Banausic;Bankrupt;Bant;Baragouin;Barmecide;Barometz;Bathykolpian;Bedizened;Beghilos;Behove and behoove;Bejuggle;Bellwether;Betwixt;Bezoar;Blackguard;Blackmail;Blatherskite;Blood and thunder;Bloviate;Blurb;Bodacious;Bodger;Bombilation;Bonzer;Boondoggle;Bootless;Borborygmus;Boscage;Boustrophedonic;Bowdlerise;Bridewell;Brimborion;Brobdingnagian;Bromopnea;Brosiering;Brummagem;Bruxer;Burgoo.CCachinnatory;Cacography;Cad;Cadastral;Cadge;Caitiff;Calenture;Callipygian;Callithumpian;Caltrop;Camelion;Cancrine;Candent;Cantankerous;Cantrev;Carabidologist;Carphology;Carwhichet;Carwichet;Cascabel;Cataglottism;Cataract;Catchpole;Catoptromancy;Cello scrotum;Cenatory;Cento;Ceraunograph;Charabanc;Chatoyant;Cheapskate;Cheat-bread;Chicanery;Chiliastic;Chissicking;Chrestomathy;Chronogram;Chthonic;Chuck-farthing;Chucklehead;Circumbendibus;Clerihew;Clinquant;Cockaigne;Cockamamie;Cockshut;Codology;Codswallop;Cohobation;Colcannon Night;Collop;Collyrium;Collywobbles;Colophonian;Comeuppance;Commash;Concinnity;Conkerer;Contumely;Coopering;Copacetic;Costard;Costus;Coulrophobia;Coxcomb;Cribellate;Crimping;Crinkum-crankum;Criticaster;Crosspatch;Cruciverbalist;Cucking-stool;Cucumber time;Culpon;Culprit;Cunicular;Curtain lecture;Cyborg;Cymbocephalic;Cynosure.DDactylonomy;Daft-days;Dandiprat;Darg;Deasil;Defenestrate;Deipnosophist;Deliquescent;Deray;Derring-do;Destrier;Digamy;Digladiation;Discombobulate;Divagation;Donnybrook;Doohickey;Doryphore;Dozenal;Dracontology;Droogish;Drunkard's cloak;Dumbbell;Dumbledore;Dwile flonking;Dydler.EEagre;Ecdysiast;Edacious;Egyptian days;Eleemosynary;Ell;Emmet and grockle;Empasm;Emuscation;Enchiridion;Engastrimyth;Ensorcelled;Epeolatry;Epizeuxis;Ergophobia;Erumpent;Esculent;Estovers;Esurience;Etaoin shrdlu;Etheromaniac;Eximious;Eyot.FFacinorous;Factotum;Fandangle;Fanfaronade;Fantods;Farb;Fardel;Feghoot;Ferret;Fescennine;Festucine;Fidimplicitary;Filemot;Fimbriated;Financephalograph;Flabbergasted;Flagitious;Flapdoodle;Flavicomous;Fletcherise;Flibbertigibbet;Floccinaucinihilipilification;Florilegium;Fogou;Foison;Folderol;Foofaraw;Foudroyant;Franglais;Frigorific;Fritinancy;Frontispiece;Froward;Fugleman;Fuliginous;Funambulist;Furbelow;Fustigate;Fustilugs.GGaberlunzie;Gadzooks;Gafiate;Gainsay;Galanthophile;Galimatias;Galligaskins;Gallimaufry;Gallivant;Gamp;Gander month;Gantlope;Garbler;Garboil;Gargalesis;Garth;Gazebo;Gazump;Geis;Gelotologist;Gimcrack;Ginglyform;Gist;Glebe;Gnathonic;Gobbledygook;Gobemouche;Gobo;Godwottery;Gomer;Gonfalon;Gong farmer;Gongoozler;Gooding;Gorbellied;Gormagon;Gossypiboma;Gowk;Gowpen;Grangerise;Grawlix;Gremial;Gremlin;Griffonage;Grok;Groze;Guddling;Guiser;Gurning;Guy Fawkes night.HHaberdasher;Haggard;Ha-ha;Halcyon;Halt;Handfasting;Handsel Monday;Haplology;Haptic;Harum-scarum;Haruspex;Hearth-money;Hebdomadal;Hebesphenomegacorona;Hebetude;Hedera;Heiligenschein;Heterography;Higgledy-piggledy;Higgler;Hippodroming;Hircocervus;Hobbledehoy;Hocus-pocus;Hodening;Hoity-toity;Hokey-pokey;Honeyfuggle;Honorificabilitudinitatibus;Hoosegow;Hornswoggle;Houghmagandy;Hoyden;Hugger-mugger;Humdudgeon;Humicubation;Humongous;Hwyl;Hyetal;Hyperborean;Hypnobioscope.IIce house;Ichthyophagous;Idioticon;Ignivomous;Ignoramus;Illeism;Impignorate;Imposthume;In silico;Incalescence;Incarnadine;Incunabulum;Inenarrable;Infra dig;Infundibulum;Inglenook;Ingrained;Insinuendo;Interrobang;Inwit;Isabelline;Ishkabibble;Ixnay.JJackalope;Jackanapes;Jactitation;Jaculation;Janus-faced;Jiggery-pokery;Jingoism;Jobation;Jobbernowl;Jobsworth;Jocund;Jollop;Jorum;Josser;Jumentous.KKakistocracy;Katzenjammer;Kelemenopy;Kerfuffle;Killick;Kinetoscope;Knucker.LLabretifery;Lackadaisical;Lagan;Lagniappe;LarrikinNEW;Latrociny;Leechcraft;Leiotrichous;Lemniscate;Leucipottomy;Lexiphanic;Limitrophe;Linhay;Linsey-woolsey;Lipogrammatist;Lippitude;Liripipe;Lithophone;Logan stone;Logodaedalus;Lollapaloosa;Lollygag;Lorinery;Ludibrious;Lustrum;Lycanthropy.MMacaronic;Machicolation;Macilent;Maggot;Magiric;Magnoperate;Maieutic;Makebate;Malapert;Malarkey;Mallemaroking;Maloik;Manavilins;Manicule;Mansuetude;Manticore;Maritorious;Marmalise;Mastigophorous;Materteral;Mattoid;Maundy;Megilp;Merrythought;Mesmerise;Metagrobolise;Metemptosis;Metoposcopist;Mimsy;Mithridate;Mongo;Mononymous;Mooreeffoc;Mortsafe;Mournival;Mudlark;Mugwump;Mulct;Muliebrious;Mulligrubs;Mumchance;Mumping;Mundungus;Musterdevillers;Mutoscope;Myrmidon.NNamby-pamby;Natiform;Naysayer;Nepenthes;Nescient;Niddering;Nidicolous;Nihilartikel;Nincompoop;Ninnyhammer;Nipperkin;Nomophobia;Nosopoetic;Nostoc;Nous;Nubbing-cheat;Nugiperous;Nut-crack night;Nychthemeron;Nye;Nympholepsy.OOaf;Obdiplostemonous;Obnubilate;Oche;Octothorpe;Odd-shoe boy;Olitory;Ombre;Omnium-gatherum;Omphaloskepsis;Onomasticon;Onomatopoeia;Onychophagist;Ooglification;Oojah;Opisthograph;Opodeldoc;Orismology;Orotund;Orrery;Ostrobogulous;Overweening;Oxter;Oyez.PPace egg play;Palimpsest;Pall-mall;Palpebrous;Pandiculation;Panglossian;Panjandrum;Panking pole;Panorama;Pantechnicon;Paralipsis;Paraphernalia;Paraprosdokian;Paregoric;Paroemiological;Pastinaceous;Patibulary;Pavonine;Pecksniffian;Pelf;Percontation;Perissology;Peristeronic;Perverb;Petard;Petrichor;Pettifogging;Phantasmagoria;Pharology;Phenology;Phrop;Picadil;Picayune;Piepowder;Pigwidgeon;Pilcrow;Pilgarlic;Pillaloo;Pinchbeck;Pinguescence;Pitmatic;Plat;Plenilune;Plug-ugly;Pocillovy;Pogonotrophy;Poltroon;Poodle-faker;Popinjay;Poppycock;Poppysmic;Portolan;POTUS;Pound;Preantepenultimate;Preposterous;Prestidigitator;Prick-me-dainty;Pridian;Prodnose;Prognosticate;Protologism;Pulchritudinous;Purdonium;Pusillanimous;Pyknic.QQuidnunc;Quillon;Quincunx;Quinion;Quinquagenary;Quocker-wodger;Quodlibet.RRambunctious;Rannygazoo;Rantipole;Rasorial;Rebarbative;Recumbentibus;Refocillate;Retronym;Rhadamanthine;Rhapsodomancy;Rhinotillexomania;Rhopalic;Richard Snary;Rigmarole;Ripsnorter;Robinsonade;Rodomontade;Roister-doister;Roo;Roscid;Rumbledethumps;Rusticate.SSabermetrician;Sabrage;Saggar;Salmagundi;Sapid;Sarcophagus;Sardoodledom;Saturnalia;Scacchic;Scalene;Scallywag or Scalawag;Sciolist;Scobberlotcher;Scofflaw;Scombroid;Scrimshaw;Scrumping;Scrumptious;Scutching;Seersucker;Selmelier;Semordnilap;Sennight;Sequacious;Serendipity;Sesquipedalian;Sferics;Shemozzle;Shenanigan;Siccity;Simoleon;Singultient;Sisyphean;Sitooterie;Skedaddle;Skew-whiff;Skillygalee;Skimble-skamble;Skimmington;Skulduggery;Slangwhanger;Sledging;Slipshod;Slubberdegullion;Slumgullion;Smaragdine;Smellfeast;Smouch;Snarge;Sneap;Snickersnee;Snollygoster;Sobriquet;Sockdolager;Somniloquent;Sooth;Sophrosyne;Spanghew;Spatterdashes;Sphairistike;Sphexish;Sphragistics;Spifflicate;Spissitude;Spondulicks;Sponging-house;Squabash;Staddle;Stammel;Standing pie;Stannator;Steganography;Sternutatory;Stillicide;Stotting;Stramonium;Strickle;Struthonian;Stultiloquy;Stylite;Subfusc;Succedaneum;Supererogation;Surrebutter;Swan-upping;Swazzle;Swoose;Symploce;Synaesthete;Syzygy.TTabnabs;Tagarene;Taghairm;Talaria;Tantivy;Taradiddle;Tatterdemalion;Tautochrone;Tawdry;Teetotum;Teknonymy;Teleplasmic;Tergiversate;Termagant;Tetrapyloctomy;Thaumaturgy;The longest word;Thelemic;Therianthrope;Thrasonical;Tiffin;Tilly-vally;Tintamarre;Tintinnabulation;Titch;Titivil;Titubation;Tolfraedic;Tolley;Tontine;Toploftical;Tosticated;Totter;Tourbillion;Trebuchet;Triacle;Tripudiate;Triskaidekaphobia;Truckle;Truepenny;Trussell;Tufthunter;Tumbarumba;Turducken;Turgescent;Turlough;Twitterpated.UUgsome;Ullage;Ultimo;Ultracrepidarian;Umami;Umbrage;Umpty;Umquhile;Understrapper;Unipedal;Unobtainium;Urtication;Usufructuary.VVaccary;Vaccimulgence;Valetudinarian;Velleity;Vellicate;Velocipedist;Venery;Verecund;Vexillology;Vilipend;Vinolent;Virescent;Volitation;Volvelle;Vomitorium;Vril.WWait;Wanion;Wardour Street English;Wassail;Waywiser;Wayzgoose;Welkin;Whiffler;Whilom;Widdiful;Wigg;Williwaw;Will-o-the-wisp;Willy-nilly;Wiseacre;Wittol;Wobbegong.XXenoglossy;Xeric.YYaffle;Yale;Yclept;Yealm;Yuletide.ZZany;Zemblanity;Zenzizenzizenzic;Zograscope;Zymurgy.Foreign Words and Phrases1The English meanings given below are not necessarily literal translations.ad absurdum(ad ab-sir'dum) [Lat.]: to the point of absurdity. He tediously repeated his argumentad absurdum.ad infinitum(ad in-fun-eye'tum) [Lat.]: to infinity. The lecture seemed to drone onad infinitum.ad nauseam(ad noz'ee-um) [Lat.]: to a sickening degree. The politician uttered one platitude after anotherad nauseam.aficionado(uh-fish'ya-nah'doh) [Span.]: an ardent devotee. I was surprised at what a baseballaficionadoshe had become.angst(angkst) [Ger.]: dread and anxiety. Sylvia's teenageangstwas nothing compared to the parentalangstexperienced by the two individuals whose duty it was to raise her.annus mirabilis(an'us muh-ra'buh-lis) [Lat.]: wonderful year. Last year was theannus mirabilisfor my company.a priori(ah pree-or'ee) [Lat.]: based on theory rather than observation. The fact that their house is in such disrepair suggestsa priorithat they are having financial difficulties.au courant(oh' koo-rahn') [Fr.]: up-to-date. The shoes, the hair, the clothesevery last detail of her dress, in factwas utterlyau courant.beau geste(boh zhest') [Fr.]: a fine or noble gesture, often futile. My fellow writers supported me by writing letters of protest to the publisher, but theirbeau gestecould not prevent the inevitable.beau monde(boh' mond') [Fr.]: high society. Such elegant decor would impress even thebeau monde.bte noire(bet nwahr') [Fr.]: something or someone particularly disliked. Talk of the good old college days way back when had become hisbte noire,and he began to avoid his school friends.bona fide(boh'na fide) [Lat.]: in good faith; genuine. For all her reticence and modesty, it was clear that she was abona fideexpert in her field.bon mot(bon moe') [Fr.]: a witty remark or comment. Onebon motafter another flew out of his mouth, charming the audience.bon vivant(bon vee-vahnt') [Fr.]: a person who lives luxuriously and enjoys good food and drink. It's true he's quite thebon vivant,but when he gets down to business he conducts himself like a Spartan.carpe diem(kar'pay dee'um) [Lat.]: seize the day. So what if you have an 8:00 a.m. meeting tomorrow and various appointments?Carpe diem!carte blanche(kart blonsh') [Fr.]: unrestricted power to act on one's own. I may havecarte blanchearound the office, but at home I'm a slave to my family's demands.casus belli(kay'sus bel'eye) [Lat.]: an act justifying war. The general felt that the banana republic's insolent remarks about our national honor were enough of acasus bellito launch an attack.cause clbre(koz suh-leb'ruh) [Fr.]: a widely known controversial case or issue. The Sacco and Vanzetti trial became an internationalcause clbreduring the 1920s.caveat emptor(kav'ee-ot emp'tor) [Lat.]: let the buyer beware. Before you leap at that real estate deal,caveat emptor!comme ci comme a(kom see' kom sah') [Fr.]: so-so. The plans for the party strike me ascomme ci comme a.comme il faut(kom eel foe') [Fr.]: as it should be; fitting. His end was trulycomme il faut.coup de grce(koo de grahss') [Fr.]: finishing blow. After an already wildly successful day, thecoup de grcecame when she won best all-around athlete.cri de coeur(kree' de kur') [Fr.]: heartfelt appeal. About to leave the podium, he made a finalcri de coeurto his people to end the bloodshed.de rigueur(duh ree-gur') [Fr.]: strictly required, as by etiquette, usage, or fashion. Loudly proclaiming one's support for radical causes had becomede rigueuramong her crowd.deus ex machina(day'us ex mahk'uh-nuh) [Lat.]: a contrived device to resolve a situation. Stretching plausibility, the movie concluded with adeus ex machinaending in which everyone was rescued at the last minute.dolce vita(dole'chay vee'tuh) [Ital.]: sweet life; the good life perceived as one of physical pleasure and self-indulgence. My vacation this year is going to be two uninterrupted weeks ofdolce vita.doppelgnger(dop'pul-gang-ur) [Ger.]: a ghostly double or counterpart of a living person. I could not shake the sense that some shadowydoppelgngerechoed my every move.ecce homo(ek'ay ho'mo) [Lat.]: behold the man. The painting depicted the common Renaissance theme,ecce homoChrist wearing the crown of thorns.enfant terrible(ahn-fahn' tay-reeb'luh) [Fr.]: an incorrigible child; an outrageously outspoken or bold person. He played the role ofenfant terrible,jolting us with his blunt assessment.entre nous(ahn'truh noo') [Fr.]: between ourselves; confidentially. Entre nous,their marriage is on the rocks.ex cathedra(ex kuh-thee'druh) [Lat.]: with authority; used especially of those pronouncements of the pope that are considered infallible. I resigned myself to obeying; my father's opinions wereex cathedrain our household.ex post facto(ex' post fak'toh) [Lat.]: retroactively. I certainly hope that the change in policy will be honoredex post facto.fait accompli(fate ah-kom-plee') [Fr.]: an accomplished fact, presumably irreversible. There's no use protestingit's afait accompli.>faux pas(foh pah') [Fr.]: a social blunder. Suddenly, she realized she had unwittingly committed yet anotherfaux pas.Feinschmecker2(fine'shmek-er) [Ger.]: gourmet. No, I don't think McDonald's will do; he's much too much of aFeinschmecker.flagrante delicto(fla-grahn'tee di-lik'toh) [Lat.]: in the act. The detective realized that without hard evidence he had no case; he would have to catch the culpritflagrante delicto.glasnost(glaz'nohst) [Rus.]: open and frank discussion: initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985 in the Soviet Union. Once the old chairman retired, the spirit ofglasnostpervaded the department.hoi polloi(hoy' puh-loy') [Gk.]: the common people. Marie Antoinette recommended cake to thehoi polloi.in loco parentis(in loh'koh pa-ren'tiss) [Lat.]: in the place of a parent. The court appointed a guardian for the children, to servein loco parentis.in medias res(in me'-dee-as rays) [Lat.]: in the middle of a sequence of occurences. The film beginsin medias res,with a panting, terrified man running through the night.in situ(in sit'too) [Lat.]: situated in the original or natural position. I prefer seeing statuesin siturather than in the confines of a museum.in vino veritas(in vee'no vare'i-toss) [Lat.]: in wine there is truth. By the end of the party, several of the guests had made a good deal of their private lives public, prompting the host to murmur to his wife, in vino veritas.ipso facto(ip'soh fak'toh) [Lat.]: by the fact itself. An extremist,ipso facto,cannot become part of a coalition.je ne sais quoi(zheh neh say kwah') [Fr.]: I know not what; an elusive quality. She couldn't explain it, but there was somethingje ne sais quoiabout him that she found devastatingly attractive.mano a mano(mah'no ah mah'no) [Span.]: directly or face-to-face in a confrontation or conflict. Stay out of it, he admonished his friends, I want to handle this guymano a mano.mea culpa(may'uh kul'puh) [Lat.]: I am to blame. Hismea culpawas so offhand that I hardly think he meant it.memento mori(muh-men'toh more'ee) [Lat.]: a reminder that you must die. The skull rested on the mantlepiece as amemento mori.mise en scene(mee' zahn sen) [Fr.]: the stage setting; surroundings. Themise en scenefor the sci-fi movie was molded, futuristic furniture and blinding klieg lights.mot juste(moh zhoost') [Fr.]: the exact, appropriate word. Rats! screamed the defiant three-year-old, immensely proud of hismot juste.ne plus ultra(nee' plus ul'truh) [Lat.]: the most intense degree of a quality or state. Pulling it from the box, he realized he was face to face with thene plus ultraof computers.nom de guerre(nom duh gair') [Fr.]: pseudonym. He went by hisnom de guerrewhen frequenting trendy nightclubs.nom de plume(nom duh ploom') [Fr.]: pen name. Deciding it was time to sit down and begin a novel, the would-be writer spent the first several hours deciding upon a suitablenom de plume.nota bene(noh'tuh ben'nee) [Ital.]: note well; take notice. Her postcard included a reminder:nota bene,I'll be returning on the 11 o'clock train.persona non grata(per-soh'nuh non grah'tuh) [Lat.]: unacceptable or unwelcome person. Once I was cut out of the will, I becamepersona non grataamong my relatives.prima facie(pry'ma fay'she) [Lat.]: at first sight, clear and evident. Although her husband implored, I can explain! the sight of another woman wrapped in his arms wasprima facieevidence that he was a deceitful lout.pro bono(pro boh'noh) [Lat.]: done or donated without charge; free. The lawyer'spro bonowork gave him a sense of value that his work on behalf of the corporation could not.quid pro quo(kwid' pro kwoh') [Lat.]: something for something; an equal exchange. She vowed that when she had the means, she would return his favorsquid pro quo.sans souci(sahn soo-see') [Fr.]: carefree. After serveral glasses of champagne, their mood turned distinctlysans souci.savoir-faire(sav'wahr fair') [Fr.]: the ability to say and do the correct thing. She presided over the gathering with impressivesavoir-faire.schadenfreude(shah den froy'deh) [Ger.]: pleasure at someone else's misfortunes. Schadenfreudesuffused the classroom after the insufferably supercilious class pet was caught cheating by the teacher.sic transit gloria mundi(sick tran'sit glor'ee-uh mun'dee) [Lat.]: thus passes away the glory of the world. Watching the aging former football quarterback lumber down the street, potbellied and dissipated, his friend shook his head in disbelief and muttered, sic transit gloria mundi.sine qua non(sin'ay kwah nohn') [Lat.]: indispensable element or condition. Lemon is thesine qua nonof this recipe.sotto voce(suh'tow voh'chee) [Ital.]: in a quiet voice, attempting not to be overheard. While the others were distracted, he filled me insotto voceon all the delicously sordid details of the scandal.sui generis(su'ee jen'e-ris) [Lat.]: unique. Adjusting her pirate's hat and fringed hula skirt, Zelda sashayed into the party, knowing her fashion statement wassui generis.terra incognita(tare'uh in-kog-nee'tuh) [Lat.]: unknown territory. When the conversation suddenly switched from contemporary fiction to medieval Albanian playwrights, he felt himself enteringterra incognita.tout le monde(too luh mond') [Fr.]: everybody; everyone of importance. Don't miss the event; it's bound to be attended bytout le monde.veni, vidi, vici(ven'ee vee'dee vee'chee) [Lat.]: I came, I saw, I conquered. After the takeover the business mogul gloated,veni, vidi, vici.verboten(fer-boh'ten) [Ger.]: forbidden, as by law; prohibited. That topic, I am afraid, isverbotenin this household.vox populi(voks pop'yoo-lie) [Lat.]: the voice of the people. My sentiments echo those of thevox populi.Wanderjahr2(vahn'der-yahr) [Ger.]: a year or period of travel, especially following one's schooling. The trio took off on theirWanderjahr,intent on visiting every museum between Edinburgh and Rome.Weltanschauung2(velt'an-shou'ung) [Ger.]: a world view or philosophy of life. HisWeltanschauunggradually metamorphized from a grim and pessimistic one to a sunny, but no less complex, view.Weltschmerz2(velt'shmerts) [Ger.]: sorrow over the evils of the world. His poetry expressed a certainWeltschmerz,or world-weariness.Zeitgeist2(zite'guyst) [Ger.]: the thought or sensibility characteristic of a particular period of time. She blamed it on theZeitgeist,which encouraged hedonistic excess.1. Foreign words and phrases should be set in italics (or underlined if written in longhand) if their meanings are likely to be unknown to the reader. Whether the expression is familiar or unfamiliar, however, is a matter of judgment. In this list, all foreign words have been italicized for the sake of emphasis.2. German nouns are capitalized. A familiar German expression that is not italicized, however, should be lowercased, following the English conventions of not capitalizing common nouns. His proclivities leaned more to the occult than to the philosophical: a poltergeist he could understand; theZeitgeisthe could not.

Foreign Phrases used in Englisha la carte[French]adj., adv. with a separate price for each item, printed on the menu; basically it is used to refer to the menu, as opposed to, say, a buffetCan we eat a la carte?Can we order from the a la carte menu?alfresco[Italian]adj., adv. open air; outdoorsWeve been invited to an alfresco dinner at the Mughal Gardens.Are we dining alfresco tonight?alma mater[Latin]n. any institution one has graduated from; in other words, ones old school or universityI havent returned to my alma mater since the day I graduated.avant-garde[French]n. an artist or group associated with the use of new techniques in their fieldOur friend is an avant-garde; we cant really appreciate his work because it is too modern for us.adj. of or pertaining to such an artist or group or (cutting edge, radically new) approachHis avant-garde work was found by the school to be unacceptable by their conventional standards.Blitzkrieg[German]n. rapid, intensive attack, originally used to describe sudden military offensivesMS Dhonis blitzkrieg at the end of yesterdays match saved it for India.bona fide[Latin]adj. authentic, genuine, in good faithIs the painting by MF Hussain on your wall bona fide?He is not a dishonest salesman; his offer is bona fide.cest la vie[French]thats life; such is lifeI dont allow myself to get depressed; I just say Cest la vie! and move on.curriculum vitae(CV) [Latin]n. resume, i.e., outline of ones educational and professional qualifications, made for job applicationsHave you got your CV ready for the interview tomorrow?de facto[Latin]adv. in reality, actuallyThe result of the elections was, de facto, simply a public verdict on the governments complacency during the riots; despite the absence of real alternatives, the incumbent government was displaced.adj. existing whether legally recognised or notWhile the President may be referred to as the Head of the State, the de facto head in India, as everyone knows, is the Prime Minister.dj vu[French]n. the sensation of having previously experienced something that one is experiencingI experienced dj vu when I entered the kitchen, even though I was fully aware that I had never been in that house before.en route[French]adv. on the wayIve just left, Im en route for the auditorium.ergo[Latin]conj. therefore; consequentlyNeither side was willing to play in such terrible conditions; ergo, there would no match.faux pas[French]n. social blunderI committed a faux pas the other day when I went to a formal dinner dressed up for a costume party.fiasco[Italian]n. total failureThe party was a fiasco; the lights went out 10 minutes into the affair, and three people got injured trying to feel their way around in the dark.guerrilla[Spanish]n. a member of an irregular army operating in a territory under the control of a hostile force, i.e the enemy; their warfare is generally hit-and-run, employing sudden attacks and sabotages because they are fewer in numberThe guerrillas threatened to overthrow the government of the state.adj. pertaining to guerrillas or their methods of warfareThe troops, bested in the open, fled to the forests, resorting to guerrilla tactics.joie de vivre[French]joy in livingIt is rare that one is able to experience true joie de vivre once one is past ones youth.klutz[Yiddish]n. a clumsy personI behaved like a klutz at the party, tripping and spilling my drinks all over the place.lingua franca[Italian]n. common languageEnglish is the lingua franca of the world by virtue of the fact that is spoken in the largest number of countries.nee[French]adj. born; used for the maiden name of a married womanAishwarya Bacchan nee Raipar excellence[French]adj. the best at somethingIt was clear from the beginning that Sachin Tendulkar was a batsman par excellence.per capita[Latin]adj., adv. per personThe per capita income of the country was very high.Indian earning per capita is much higher abroad than it is at home.per se[Latin]adv. in itselfThe statement was interesting per se; it did not make much sense in context, however.prima donna[Italian]n. temperamental entertainerBe on your best behaviour around her; shes known to be quite the prima donna.Realpolitik[German]n. opportunistic politics that concerns itself with ground realities, with self-advancement as the sole driving principleConsiderations of realpolitik drove me to campaign relentlessly, pandering to the masses to garner votes.status quo[Latin]n. the existing state of thingsThe point of having her elected was for the reigning party to perpetuate the status quo.tabula rasa[Latin]n. blank slateA childs mind is like tabula rasa; it is very important to ensure that it is not exposed to harmful influences.terra firma[Latin]n. hard, firm groundI was very scared the first time I travelled in an airplane; I drew my first breath of relief when we landed back on terra firma.tete-a-tete[French]n. a private, intimate conversationI managed to sneak a tete-a-tete with him during the trip about his daughters nightly wanderings.adv. face-to-face, intimateWe talked tete-a-tete in the morning; he had some great insights, I was glad that we had the talk.vis--vis[French]adv., adj. face-to-faceThey sat vis--vis across the table.They had a vis--vis talk about Kevin, who was showing signs of psychopathy early in his childhood.prep. in relation toHis role vis--vis the recent match was that of a game-changer.Zeitgeist[German]n. the intellectual outlook or spirit characteristic of a particular time period or generationThe zeitgeist today seems to hint towards a Leftist overthrow of government.