The English Language Is Weirder Than You Think
Don’t go causin’ a kerfuffle, you flibbertigibbet. It’s okay if that didn’t make any sense—it’s just an example of how crazy this language of ours can actually be! We weren’t just speaking in tongues, either; English is packed with real words that seem like they were pulled straight out of Winnie the Pooh, and we’re here to show you the cream of the crop. Whether you're looking to impress your friends or simply enjoy learning something weird, these 20 examples let you walk on the wild side.
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1. Bumfuzzle
Have you ever been so confused that you couldn't figure out what was happening? (It’s okay, us too.) Funnily enough, there's an actual word for that feeling: bumfuzzle. It means to confuse or bewilder someone. The next time your grandparents can't figure out how to use their new smartphone, you could say the technology has completely bumfuzzled them.
2. Snollygoster
This sounds like something pulled off the streets of England, but it’s actually a real-life term from our side of the pond. Snollygoster describes someone clever but lacking in principles. The term appeared in 19th-century American political discussions, where it was particularly useful for shaming dishonest politicians.
3. Collywobbles
Those uncomfortable feelings in your stomach have a much stranger name than you realized. Collywobbles refers to stomachaches or abdominal discomfort, although people have also used it when describing nervousness. Long story short, if you've ever felt sick before an important job interview, that feeling now has a name.
4. Flibbertigibbet
Someone who yaps without saying anything substantial? They’re a flibbertigibbet. This old-fashioned word describes a frivolous, flighty, or excessively talkative person, and its history stretches all the way back to the Middle Ages.
5. Absquatulate
Sometimes, leaving a situation requires no explanation, especially when things get awkward. The word absquatulate means to depart suddenly or run away, and it originated in American slang during the 19th century. If you have relatives who disappear as soon as the check arrives, you've got a perfect example.
6. Widdershins
Believe it or not, there's a weird word for moving in a counterclockwise direction. Say hello to widdershins, a word that’s been around for centuries and originally had associations with going against the usual direction. You could technically describe someone walking counterclockwise around a fountain as moving widdershins, although they’ll probably think you just made that up.
7. Gobemouche
Not everyone questions the outlandish things they hear, which brings us to the wonderfully peculiar gobemouche. Borrowed from French, this term describes a gullible person who readily believes… basically, people tell them.
8. Borborygmus
Sorry, we’re not done with the insanity of our digestive tract yet. Picture your stomach making noises throughout the day, even when you're not hungry. Those rumbling sounds have a legitimate medical name: borborygmus! It describes noise caused by movement in the intestines.
9. Kerfuffle
A minor disagreement can turn a mountain into a molehill, and it’s only worse when everyone insists on adding their two cents. That's exactly the kind of situation described by kerfuffle, an informal word for a commotion or fuss.
10. Bumbershoot
Americans usually call it an umbrella, but there's a sillier alternative available. Bumbershoot is an old-fashioned slang term for an umbrella, particularly associated with American English. It might not be the worst term to break out the next time there’s a rainstorm!
11. Ultracrepidarian
We all know someone who loves to offer “expert opinions” about things they barely understand. Now, we all have a name for them, too. An ultracrepidarian is a person who speaks with gusto about things beyond their actual knowledge or expertise.
12. Flummadiddle
Some conversations gave plenty of words without any meaningful information, and that’s how we got the old-fashioned term flummadiddle. This delightfully weird word means nonsense or foolish talk, making it useful for describing particularly ridiculous claims. The next time someone says that eating carrots will turn your skin orange, you can dismiss that as flummadiddle.
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13. Nincompoop
May we introduce you to one of the most hilarious words in our language? You might have heard this one in childhood, but it actually is an established English word rather than a meaningless insult. A nincompoop is simply a foolish person, and the term has appeared in written English for centuries.
14. Skedaddle
Believe it or not, this one’s actually been making the rounds on social media, so more people are familiar with it than before! When somebody makes a quick departure, you could say they've skedaddled. The word became popular in American English during the 19th century and means to run away or leave quickly.
15. Gallimaufry
Have you ever looked inside a junk drawer and wondered how so many items ended up together? What you’re describing is gallimaufry, a confused mixture or assortment of different things. A box of old birthday cards, spare batteries, buttons, and forgotten keys would make an excellent example.
16. Blatherskite
Some people can spend an entire afternoon talking without really doing anything useful, and the Scots have a word for that. Blatherskite describes someone who talks foolish nonsense, or the nonsense itself. Essentially, if your neighbor flaps his gums about a conspiracy theory at the local grocery store, you’ve just encountered a blatherskite.
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17. Cattywampus
Furniture doesn't always end up where it's supposed to be, especially after somebody rearranges a room. Next time that happens, remember the word cattywampus. It’s an informal American word meaning crooked, askew, or positioned diagonally, and it can also describe something that's gone wrong!
18. Cockalorum
There's confidence, and then there's an exaggerated sense of one's own importance. You might think that’s arrogance or cockiness, but we have a better word for it! A cockalorum is a boastful, self-important person who tends to think far too highly of themselves.
19. Mollycoddle
Parents naturally want to protect their kids, but sometimes that gets a bit excessive. Forget helicopter parenting—to mollycoddle someone means to treat them with unnecessary indulgence or overprotective care, particularly when they could manage well enough on their own.
20. Hullabaloo
Few words capture the excitement and confusion of a noisy commotion quite like hullabaloo. This established English term refers to a loud disturbance or fuss, often involving several people making their opinions known. With Thanksgiving coming up, picture an entire family arguing over dinner arrangements. You've got yourself a proper hullabaloo.
