What is the difference between a real word and a made-up word? OK, admittedly all words are made-up. We should probably ask what it takes to transform a newly manufactured word into […]
The Quest to Add Orbisculate to the Dictionary
How Many of These Crazy English Words Do You Know?
We love words. We especially love strange words. Fortunately, the English language has a limitless supply of them to tantalize even the most discriminating lexophile.
Your New Word for the Day: Catchfart
If you are in need of a proven conversation starter, try to use the word catchfart at your next social gathering.
You Will Be Surprised At the Words Invented By Presidents
In a slight departure from normalcy, the premise of this article may sound a little iffy, but we certainly don’t want to encourage a bunch of muckrakers or squatters by sugarcoating or […]
Do You Have a Case of Mulligrubs?
Do you know someone who has a case of mulligrubs? No, it’s not a bushel of strange worms. It isn’t a gross rash resulting from poor hygiene, either.
Ultracrepidarian: A Person Who Speaks Beyond Expertise
Originally posted on installect:
Ultracrepidarian The only thing worse than receiving criticism on a piece of your work is when that person doing the criticizing has no idea what they are talking about.…
Do You Need Your Own Growlery?
Have you ever found yourself in a bad mood and wished you had a place where you could go to get away from everyone? Perhaps you live with someone who is prone […]
Are You Afraid of Not Being Good Enough?
Atelophobia. Does it bother you if you don’t know the meaning of that word? Does that somehow make you feel inadequate or less than perfect? Does the very notion of being imperfect […]
Grawlix, Plewds, and Briffit: the Literary Language of Cartoons and Comic Strips
Regular readers of Commonplace Fun Facts are well versed in the meaning and use of some very unusual words. Even the most learned lexicologist may stumble over words such as briffit, grawlix, […]
Practicing Pandiculation
How often do you pandiculate? You may not be familiar with the word, but you almost certainly do it on a regular basis. Pandiculation is the act of stretching and yawning at […]
Words Created by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was unquestionably one of the greatest influencers of English literature. He was also an unequaled contributor to the English language itself. Many of the words you have used in the […]
Peruse Perplexing Pangrams Perfectly Penned to Please
Anyone who has taken a class on typing (or keyboarding, as it is now known), has encountered the sentence, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” In typing that word, […]
A 700-Year Tradition Of Unfriending
Venture for long in the world of social media and you will learn what it means to “unfriend.” You will realize a former social media follower has chosen to turn his or […]
When You Are Afraid Of Being Forgotten
Athazagoraphobia is the fear of being forgotten or ignored by someone you care about. Source
Learn This Word Before Your Next Visit to a Pet Store
Have you ever been at a loss to describe your feelings when you see an utterly adorable kitten or a supremely-cuddly puppy? If you lived in the Philippines, you wouldn’t struggle. In […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 