English is a fascinating language, full of words that sound bizarre, have unexpected meanings, or seem completely unnecessary.
Some of these words are rare, while others are everyday words with surprisingly strange origins. Whether borrowed from other languages, created for fun, or simply evolving in unusual ways, here are some of the strangest words in English.
1. Flummox
Meaning: To confuse or perplex someone.
This quirky word sounds as odd as its meaning. It first appeared in the 19th century and may have come from dialect slang. Saying “I’m flummoxed” just feels more fun than saying “I’m confused.”
2. Gobbledygook
Meaning: Nonsensical, overly complicated language.
Coined in 1944 by an American politician frustrated with bureaucratic jargon, gobbledygook perfectly captures the sound of someone speaking in confusing, unnecessary technical terms.
3. Discombobulate
Meaning: To disorient or throw into confusion.
This playful word emerged in the 19th century as a humorous take on Latin-style words. It sounds complicated, but it just means feeling out of sorts or bewildered.
4. Lollygag
Meaning: To spend time aimlessly, to dawdle.
This word dates back to the 1800s and was once considered slang. Today, it’s still used to describe people who waste time instead of getting things done.
5. Widdershins
Meaning: Counterclockwise or in a direction opposite to the usual.
This old Scottish word, often associated with superstitions, suggests that moving widdershins—against the natural order—is unlucky.
6. Cattywampus
Meaning: Askew, crooked, or out of alignment.
Used mostly in the southern U.S., this amusing word describes anything that isn’t straight or properly arranged. Instead of saying “the picture is tilted,” you can say, “It’s all cattywampus!”
7. Snollygoster
Meaning: A shrewd, unprincipled politician.
An old American slang word from the 19th century, snollygoster has made a small comeback in modern times. It’s perfect for describing a tricky, self-serving leader.
8. Skullduggery
Meaning: Underhanded or dishonest behaviour.
This strange-sounding word originally referred to trickery or fraud. It makes shady dealings sound almost adventurous, like something from a pirate story.
9. Sesquipedalian
Meaning: A person who uses long words, or a long word itself.
Ironically, this long word describes other long words! It comes from Latin and originally meant “a foot and a half long.”
10. Defenestration
Meaning: The act of throwing someone or something out of a window.
A surprisingly specific word, defenestration has been used in historical events, such as the famous Defenestration of Prague, where people were literally thrown from windows.
11. Callipygian
Meaning: Having well-shaped buttocks.
This unusual word comes from Greek origins and is rarely used in modern speech, but it’s an elegant way to give a compliment!
12. Quomodocunquizing
Meaning: Making money in any way possible.
This obscure word, which appeared in a 17th-century dictionary, never really caught on—but it’s fun to say!
Why Do These Words Exist?
Many of these strange words survive because they sound amusing, fill a linguistic gap, or were simply too fun to let go. While some, like gobbledygook and flummox, are still widely used, others have faded into obscurity. Still, they remind us of the creativity and playfulness of language.
So next time you’re feeling discombobulated, don’t lollygag—use some of these words and impress your friends with your sesquipedalian vocabulary!
Source; NewsandVibes.com
About The Author
