Surprising words

Barbara Ann Kipfer's Word Nerd (2007) may look at first like just another dictionary, comprised as it is of a list of words in alphabetical order. But it is more than that — or less. A lexicographer, Kipfer has throughout her career kept notes of interesting facts about words, and her book is essentially a collection of these notes.

The entries sometimes do what good dictionaries do — give definitions, pronunciations, word origins and the like, but each word is treated differently because different things are interesting about each word. Something that I've found interesting is how many words exist for things, even very common things, that I could have never imagined even needed words.

I am still in the early pages of Kipfer's book, so I offer some examples found just under the letter A:

abandannad — a pickpocket specializing in bandannas or handkerchiefs. 

abbeylubber — a lazy monk

abrazo — a greeting with a bear hug and a back pat

abulia or aboulia — the inability to make decisions

accismus — the pretended refusal of something actually desired

accubiutus — living together and sleeping in the same bed but not having sex

acephalist — someone who does not acknowledge a superior 

acrasia — acting against your better judgment

aeolian — a moaning or sighing sound similar to wind

aforcing — stretching food to accommodate more people

after-wit — a witticism that comes to mind too late 

agelast — someone who never laughs

agerasia — looking young for your age

anile — the female equivalent of senile

ansate — anything with a handle

ante-jentacular — coffee before breakfast

apercu — a perceptive comment

apophasis — mentioning a subject by saying one is not going to mention it

arval — supper served after a funeral

awk — the wrong direction