Fuzzy Signals

Lovely Obscure Words

Speaking of the English language—which is quite wonderful in its breadth and depth, its syncretic ability to absorb new words from different places and vernaculars—I thought I would offer some favourites, courtesy of my Word-of-the Day email service.

potvaliant (POT-val-iant) adjective, also pot-valiant
Showing courage under the influence of drink. Such courage is also known as Dutch courage. [From pot (vessel) + valiant (courageous).]

blunderbuss (BLUN-duhr-bus) noun
1. A short, wide-mouthed gun used to scatter shots at close range.
2. A clumsy, blundering person.

benighted (bi-NYT-id) adjective
1. Intellectually, morally, or socially ignorant; unenlightened.
2. Overtaken by night or darkness.
[From be- + night + -ed.]

Or if you prefer to be more polite and complimentary try:

toothsome (TOOTH-suhm) adjective
1. Delicious.
2. Agreeable; pleasant.
3. Sexually attractive.
[From tooth + -some. A related word is handsome, from hand + -some,
literally easy to handle or manipulate.]

palmary (PAL-muh-ree) adjective
Of supreme importance; outstanding; praiseworthy.
[From Latin palmarius (deserving or carrying the palm), from palma (palm).
The branches of the palm tree were carried as symbols of victory in ancient
times. The name of the palm tree derives from the resemblance of the shape
of its frond to the palm of a hand.]