We love lists of obscure words and made-up words, including an obsession of popular Facebook share about new words for emotions we can’t name. In a post on Lit Hub, Jonny Diamond suggests a few old words that we should bring back, compiled by the Wayne State “Word Warriors.” They include:
- Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable.
“My commitment to weight loss was derailed by my cacoethes to eat the entire pizza.” - Desiderata: Things that are required or wanted.
“The committee met to discuss the various desiderata of a successful village fete.” - Elflock: Hair matted as if by elves.
“She woke up in the morning with her hair knotted in elflocks.” - Fudgel: To pretend to work when in reality one is not doing anything.
“He fudgeled at his desk, a comic book hidden inside his history text. - Otiose: Serving no practical purpose or result.
“He asked for suggestions but was met by the otiose ramblings of his disinterested peers.”
