#mysteryword Day 26 - Ferlie.
Wonderful or marvellous.
Scots. From Old Norse ferligr (dreadful). #etymology
Wonderful or marvellous.
Scots. From Old Norse ferligr (dreadful). #etymology
January 26, 2026 at 4:23 PM
#mysteryword Day 26 - Ferlie.
Wonderful or marvellous.
Scots. From Old Norse ferligr (dreadful). #etymology
Wonderful or marvellous.
Scots. From Old Norse ferligr (dreadful). #etymology
#mysteryword day 25 - perissology.
The use of more words than necessary.
From the Greek for superfluous. #etymology
The use of more words than necessary.
From the Greek for superfluous. #etymology
January 25, 2026 at 5:38 PM
#mysteryword day 25 - perissology.
The use of more words than necessary.
From the Greek for superfluous. #etymology
The use of more words than necessary.
From the Greek for superfluous. #etymology
#mysteryword day 24 - badkruka
a cowardly bather - one who lowers themself slowly into cold water.
This is a Swedish word - bada (bathe) and kruka (coward).
#etymology
a cowardly bather - one who lowers themself slowly into cold water.
This is a Swedish word - bada (bathe) and kruka (coward).
#etymology
January 24, 2026 at 2:27 PM
#mysteryword day 24 - badkruka
a cowardly bather - one who lowers themself slowly into cold water.
This is a Swedish word - bada (bathe) and kruka (coward).
#etymology
a cowardly bather - one who lowers themself slowly into cold water.
This is a Swedish word - bada (bathe) and kruka (coward).
#etymology
#mysteryword Day 23 - drotchel
A lazy person. 1700s, Scots.
Possibly from dretch - a verb used by Chaucer meaning to idle.
#etymology
A lazy person. 1700s, Scots.
Possibly from dretch - a verb used by Chaucer meaning to idle.
#etymology
January 23, 2026 at 10:55 AM
#mysteryword Day 23 - drotchel
A lazy person. 1700s, Scots.
Possibly from dretch - a verb used by Chaucer meaning to idle.
#etymology
A lazy person. 1700s, Scots.
Possibly from dretch - a verb used by Chaucer meaning to idle.
#etymology
#mysteryword Day 22 - exsibilate - to hiss a poor actor off the stage. From Latin.
Seems an appropriate word for the day the Oscar nominations are released, no hissing for them I'm sure.
Seems an appropriate word for the day the Oscar nominations are released, no hissing for them I'm sure.
January 22, 2026 at 10:50 AM
#mysteryword Day 22 - exsibilate - to hiss a poor actor off the stage. From Latin.
Seems an appropriate word for the day the Oscar nominations are released, no hissing for them I'm sure.
Seems an appropriate word for the day the Oscar nominations are released, no hissing for them I'm sure.
January 21, 2026 at 2:39 PM
#mysteryword Day 20 - eedle-doddle
A carefree day-dreamer.
Scots. Possibly from idle and dawdle.
#etymology #words
A carefree day-dreamer.
Scots. Possibly from idle and dawdle.
#etymology #words
January 20, 2026 at 3:15 PM
#mysteryword Day 20 - eedle-doddle
A carefree day-dreamer.
Scots. Possibly from idle and dawdle.
#etymology #words
A carefree day-dreamer.
Scots. Possibly from idle and dawdle.
#etymology #words
#mysteryword Day 19 - throttlebottom - an incompetent person in public office. From a character in a 1930s musical comedy.
#etymology
Explored in more detail in my blog this week at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2026/01/19/t...
#etymology
Explored in more detail in my blog this week at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2026/01/19/t...
The Comedy Roots of Throttlebottom
Hello This week’s word, throttlebottom, is one of my Mystery Words this month. Check out #mysteryword on Bluesky and Facebook to collect them throughout January 2026. A few merit deeper exploration…
wordfoolery.wordpress.com
January 19, 2026 at 1:22 PM
#mysteryword Day 19 - throttlebottom - an incompetent person in public office. From a character in a 1930s musical comedy.
#etymology
Explored in more detail in my blog this week at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2026/01/19/t...
#etymology
Explored in more detail in my blog this week at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2026/01/19/t...
#mysteryword Day 18 - awumbuk. The emptiness felt after loved ones leave. From the Baining people of Papua New Guinea.
Not an English word, but an important one I think. #words
Not an English word, but an important one I think. #words
January 18, 2026 at 3:12 PM
#mysteryword Day 18 - awumbuk. The emptiness felt after loved ones leave. From the Baining people of Papua New Guinea.
Not an English word, but an important one I think. #words
Not an English word, but an important one I think. #words
#mysteryword Day 17 - coxcomical.
Foppish or conceited.
1700s slang, from coxcomb. #etymology #insults
Foppish or conceited.
1700s slang, from coxcomb. #etymology #insults
January 17, 2026 at 3:28 PM
#mysteryword Day 17 - coxcomical.
Foppish or conceited.
1700s slang, from coxcomb. #etymology #insults
Foppish or conceited.
1700s slang, from coxcomb. #etymology #insults
#mysteryword Day 16
Collieshangie - a loud commotion.
Scots.
Possibly from collie (dog) and shangie (leash).
#etymology
Collieshangie - a loud commotion.
Scots.
Possibly from collie (dog) and shangie (leash).
#etymology
January 16, 2026 at 10:38 AM
#mysteryword Day 16
Collieshangie - a loud commotion.
Scots.
Possibly from collie (dog) and shangie (leash).
#etymology
Collieshangie - a loud commotion.
Scots.
Possibly from collie (dog) and shangie (leash).
#etymology
#mysteryword Day 15 - unasinous - united in stupidity. 1650s. From Latin unw (one) and asinus (ass).
#etymology
#etymology
January 15, 2026 at 1:22 PM
#mysteryword Day 15 - unasinous - united in stupidity. 1650s. From Latin unw (one) and asinus (ass).
#etymology
#etymology
#mysteryword Day 14 - to arsle - to go backwards. Dialect, from arse (oers in Old English).
#etymology
#etymology
January 14, 2026 at 11:58 AM
#mysteryword Day 14 - to arsle - to go backwards. Dialect, from arse (oers in Old English).
#etymology
#etymology
#mysteryword Day 13 - to conjobble - to discuss.
1700s slang from con (together) and jobbernol (head).
#etymology #wordnerd
1700s slang from con (together) and jobbernol (head).
#etymology #wordnerd
January 13, 2026 at 10:59 AM
#mysteryword Day 13 - to conjobble - to discuss.
1700s slang from con (together) and jobbernol (head).
#etymology #wordnerd
1700s slang from con (together) and jobbernol (head).
#etymology #wordnerd
#mysteryword Day 12 - accismus - the urge to refuse something you really want. 1500s. From Greek akkismos (shyness).
This one goes back to a Greek play 2400 years ago - read all about it in this week's blog - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2026/01/12/t...
This one goes back to a Greek play 2400 years ago - read all about it in this week's blog - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2026/01/12/t...
The Greek Comedy Roots of Accismus
Hello, This week’s word, accismus, is rarely used in modern written English and hence is one of my Mystery Words this month. See #mysteryword on Bluesky, Twitter, and Facebook to collect them throu…
wordfoolery.wordpress.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:15 PM
#mysteryword Day 12 - accismus - the urge to refuse something you really want. 1500s. From Greek akkismos (shyness).
This one goes back to a Greek play 2400 years ago - read all about it in this week's blog - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2026/01/12/t...
This one goes back to a Greek play 2400 years ago - read all about it in this week's blog - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2026/01/12/t...
#mysteryword Day 11 - mubble fubbles
The sense of dread on a Sunday evening, or at the end of a holiday.
1600s. Origin unknown.
The sense of dread on a Sunday evening, or at the end of a holiday.
1600s. Origin unknown.
January 11, 2026 at 9:50 AM
#mysteryword Day 11 - mubble fubbles
The sense of dread on a Sunday evening, or at the end of a holiday.
1600s. Origin unknown.
The sense of dread on a Sunday evening, or at the end of a holiday.
1600s. Origin unknown.
#mysteryword Day 10 - antipelargy
The love between child and parents.
From Greek pelargos (stork) because it was famed for love and loyalty. #etymology
The love between child and parents.
From Greek pelargos (stork) because it was famed for love and loyalty. #etymology
January 10, 2026 at 4:41 PM
#mysteryword Day 10 - antipelargy
The love between child and parents.
From Greek pelargos (stork) because it was famed for love and loyalty. #etymology
The love between child and parents.
From Greek pelargos (stork) because it was famed for love and loyalty. #etymology
Happy #NationalWordNerdDay to my #etymology friends and word enthusiasts everywhere. I hope you enjoy dictionaries, puns, and obscure definitions today!
If you need more wordy fun try my books (see bio), blog (wordfoolery.wordpress.com), or follow #mysteryword each day this month.
If you need more wordy fun try my books (see bio), blog (wordfoolery.wordpress.com), or follow #mysteryword each day this month.
January 9, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Happy #NationalWordNerdDay to my #etymology friends and word enthusiasts everywhere. I hope you enjoy dictionaries, puns, and obscure definitions today!
If you need more wordy fun try my books (see bio), blog (wordfoolery.wordpress.com), or follow #mysteryword each day this month.
If you need more wordy fun try my books (see bio), blog (wordfoolery.wordpress.com), or follow #mysteryword each day this month.
#mysteryword Day 9 - circumforaneous - wandering from house to house. From Latin. #etymology
Handy for Halloween, carol-singers, posties (mailmen), and those people who try to get you to change utility provider.
Handy for Halloween, carol-singers, posties (mailmen), and those people who try to get you to change utility provider.
January 9, 2026 at 9:16 AM
#mysteryword Day 9 - circumforaneous - wandering from house to house. From Latin. #etymology
Handy for Halloween, carol-singers, posties (mailmen), and those people who try to get you to change utility provider.
Handy for Halloween, carol-singers, posties (mailmen), and those people who try to get you to change utility provider.
#mysteryword Day 8
bumbaleerie - backside. Scots, jocular slang.
#etymology
I love this one, waiting to slip it casually into conversation.
bumbaleerie - backside. Scots, jocular slang.
#etymology
I love this one, waiting to slip it casually into conversation.
January 8, 2026 at 2:48 PM
#mysteryword Day 8
bumbaleerie - backside. Scots, jocular slang.
#etymology
I love this one, waiting to slip it casually into conversation.
bumbaleerie - backside. Scots, jocular slang.
#etymology
I love this one, waiting to slip it casually into conversation.
#mysteryword day 7 - rogitate
To make frequent requests. From Latin rogare (to ask).
A word for parents of toddlers. #etymology
To make frequent requests. From Latin rogare (to ask).
A word for parents of toddlers. #etymology
January 7, 2026 at 2:54 PM
#mysteryword day 7 - rogitate
To make frequent requests. From Latin rogare (to ask).
A word for parents of toddlers. #etymology
To make frequent requests. From Latin rogare (to ask).
A word for parents of toddlers. #etymology
#mysteryword day 6 - agelast - a person who never laughs. 1600s. From Greek a (without) and gelastos (laughter).
#etymology
Also happy #NollaignamBan (Irish Women's Christmas) to you all!
#etymology
Also happy #NollaignamBan (Irish Women's Christmas) to you all!
January 6, 2026 at 3:02 PM
#mysteryword day 6 - agelast - a person who never laughs. 1600s. From Greek a (without) and gelastos (laughter).
#etymology
Also happy #NollaignamBan (Irish Women's Christmas) to you all!
#etymology
Also happy #NollaignamBan (Irish Women's Christmas) to you all!
#mysteryword Day 5
Caddis - fluff, especially the fluff that lurks under your bed. Northeastern Scots.
(plenty in my house!)
Caddis - fluff, especially the fluff that lurks under your bed. Northeastern Scots.
(plenty in my house!)
January 5, 2026 at 11:51 AM
#mysteryword Day 5
Caddis - fluff, especially the fluff that lurks under your bed. Northeastern Scots.
(plenty in my house!)
Caddis - fluff, especially the fluff that lurks under your bed. Northeastern Scots.
(plenty in my house!)
#mysteryword Days 3 & 4 (offline yesterday) #etymology
Baffies - slippers (Scots), and Goozlins - intestines, 1800s.
Wouldn't want to get those two mixed up.
Baffies - slippers (Scots), and Goozlins - intestines, 1800s.
Wouldn't want to get those two mixed up.
January 4, 2026 at 5:48 PM
#mysteryword Days 3 & 4 (offline yesterday) #etymology
Baffies - slippers (Scots), and Goozlins - intestines, 1800s.
Wouldn't want to get those two mixed up.
Baffies - slippers (Scots), and Goozlins - intestines, 1800s.
Wouldn't want to get those two mixed up.
#mysteryword Day2 - the perfect put-down, which makes me look at the Romans in a different light. #etymology
January 2, 2026 at 10:47 AM
#mysteryword Day2 - the perfect put-down, which makes me look at the Romans in a different light. #etymology