A Few Words to Make You Smarter

I used to post a Word of the Day when I first started blogging.  I got out of that habit but decided I'd find some new words for you.  In my search, I ran across a list of the "100 Funniest Words in English."   I will list the ones (or variations) I am also able to find in the dictionary.  I'll bet some of you will try to use them on a regular basis.

Our first word is argle-bargle, which is a variation on the frequently used argy-bargy.  These words mean a lively discussion or dispute.  I remember being at work one night when two groups came out of the bar across the street and had an argle-bargle.  This is of Scottish and English descent.

Have you ever used the word blunderbuss?  This is either a muzzle-loading firearm with a flaring muzzle or a blundering person.  I can see definitely using this word to describe the latter in many instances.

I know you'll use this next word as often as you can - borborygmus.  Say it like bore-bore-rig-mis.  It is the rumbling of your intestines caused by moving gas.  Next time you're in a crowded room and hear something coming from your belly, be sure to throw people off by letting them know it was just borborygmus. They won't ask you what that means because they won't want to admit they know less than you do.

Have you ever written lines on a piece of paper from left to right and then right to left?  If not, do it now.  You are producing a boustrophedon.  Again, makes you sound so knowledgeable.  I can hear the conversations now.  "What did you do today, honey?"  "I created boustrophedons.  You?"

Have you ever noticed a callipygian person?  What does it mean?  It means having shapely buttocks.  It is used as an adjective so make sure if you say it you make the g sound like a j and not a hard g or you might get slapped either way if you tell someone they are a callipygian person.

I'll end with this one for tonight.  Have you ever had collywobbles?  I'll bet you have.  Have you ever been nervous before speaking in front of people or before you got married or before a date?  If you had butterflies in your stomach, then you had the collywobbles.

Now you have six new words you can use - argle-bargle, blunderbuss, borborygmus, boustrophedon, callipygian, and collywobbles.  Which one do you think you'll use the most?  In a house with three teens/pre-teens, I'm going to guess I'll use argle-bargle the most.  Too many argle-bargles, and I'll be sitting at the table making boustrophedons.  :-)   Enjoy!!