![]() ![]() Thanks to the magic of science, the researchers could actually identify the specific patterns created by their brains every time they thought “sand: Marilyn Monroe” or “sand: hat.” Then, they told the participants to focus on remembering the Marilyn association and showed them the word “sand” over and over again on a screen. Researchers had study participants memorize a single word linked to two different images - specifically, they remembered that the word “sand” corresponded to a picture of Marilyn Monroe, as well as to a hat. In other words, when we prioritize a certain memory by repeatedly concentrating on it or bringing it to mind, the brain will allow similar memories to fade into the background so that they don’t compete too much with each other - kind of like a “use it or lose it” maxim for our brain muscles. Why is that our brains seem to latch on to certain words or phrases over others? And perhaps more importantly, can you work with your brain, and not against it, in your efforts to Learn All The Words? Why Brains Are Like Thatīrains are kind of like computers - they have a limited amount of storage space, which means they sometimes have to erase old data to make room for new information, which can affect vocabulary memorization.Ī study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience found that the brain actually discards memories that are very similar to memories that we’re actively trying to remember. It takes time and repetition to get new words to move into your long-term memory, and even then, long-term memory isn’t permanent memory.īesides - some words are just destined to stick in your memory better than others, and seemingly without rhyme or reason. Tyrotoxism: Scratch what we said about defenestrate earlier-the fact that somebody came up with a word for “to poison with cheese” is much more unbelievable.Despite our best efforts, vocabulary memorization will probably never be backed by a foolproof strategy. The archimime is the chief buffoon or jester. Griffonage: You might call sloppy handwriting “chicken scratch,” but griffonage rolls off the tongue much more easily.Īrchimime: Frankly, we didn’t think that this word would mean exactly what it sounds like, but it does. Preantepenultimate: Ultimate is last, penultimate is second-to-last, antepenultimate is third-to-last, which makes this the preantepenultimate word on this list. Obelus: The division symbol (÷), which we were surprised had an actual name. Lemniscate: A figure 8 turned on its side-in other words, the infinity symbol. Those specks of light are called phosphenes.Ĭataglottism: Technically, you may already know another word for cataglottism, but it’s a great way to make “french kiss” sound a lot less sexy. ![]() Phosphene: While you’re pandiculating, you might also press your knuckles into your eyes until little stars appear. Perfect-no more relying on the peach emoji.ĭefenestrate: You’ve got to wonder about the kind of mind that thinks there needs to be a word for throwing someone out of a window.īruxism: Do you grind your teeth at night? Tell your dentist that you suffer from bruxism. Pandiculation: When you get up in the morning, sit on the edge of your bed, and stretch your arms in all directions, you’re actually pandiculating. Pilgarlic: On the opposite end of the spectrum, a pilgarlic is a bald-headed person-usually one you’re mocking or feeling sorry for.īalter: One thing we can definitely do here at is balter. Pogonotrophy: You probably know someone who engages in pogonotrophy, the act of growing a beard, even if they don’t call it that. It’s the little dot above a lowercase j or i. Tittle: The word tittle has got just one tittle in it, but this sentence has six-no, seven-more. It can also be used as an adjective meaning tattered or ragged in appearance. A tatterdemalion is somebody wearing tattered clothing. Tatterdemalion: Some words just sound like their meaning. Nibling is a gender-neutral term for a niece or nephew. Nibling: Here’s a handy word you might just now realize you were missing. Jillick: To skip a stone across a surface of water. Time for lunch!Īccubation: While you quell your borborygmus, you might engage in accubation-the act of comfortably reclining, often during a meal. Grawlix: You know when cartoonists substitute a bunch of punctuation marks for curse words? They’re using grawlix.īorborygmus: A rumbling in your stomach. What better piece of vocabulary to kick off this list with?Īglet: The little piece of plastic on the end of your shoelaces. Here are 25 weird, obscure, and downright cool words hidden in the English language. On the other hand, that feeling when you can’t quite find the right word for what you’re trying to express is incredibly aggravating. There’s something so satisfying about pulling out a $15 word-the kind that you hardly ever get to use, but fits the situation perfectly. ![]() Have You Ever Heard These 25 Obscure English Words? ![]()
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