# Rare words **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 5, 2023, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623 "2023-09-05T00:09:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/21 "2023-09-05T01:08:38Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Actually, that is a misconception. While some rare words are rarely used, other rare words are used almost constantly by almost everyone. - Undercooked is a rare word that’s used by almost everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/22 "2023-09-05T01:09:33Z")
As is “half-baked”. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/23 "2023-09-05T01:12:47Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > An essential work in the PT reference library: > [The Penguin Dictionary of Curious and Interesting Words](https://www.babelbooks.com.au/products/the-penguin-dictionary-of-curious-and-interesting-words) Order placed. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/24 "2023-09-05T01:13:51Z")
And bloody. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/25 "2023-09-05T01:19:18Z")
I use _persnickety_ alot. Always gets an eyebrow. Not all that rare. But people don’t expect it to come outta my mouth. I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/26 "2023-09-05T01:41:15Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Rare words, if authenticated and properly preserved, get auctioned off at the semi annual Funk-Webster International **Verbage** Auction in Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico. would you happen to know of events for rare adjectives? Preferrable on the east-coast /s ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/27 "2023-09-05T02:29:28Z")
**“Television: A new medium—rare, if well done!”** Fred Waring. May 1949. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/28 "2023-09-05T02:53:53Z")
> [@Jagraze1](#): > > So what happens to the words that are rare in English or any language? Do they get used infrequently or what? Well, uh, yes. I mean, infrequent use is pretty much what defines a rare word, so it’s kinda tautological. I mean, what are you trying to ask here? What other possibilities are there? They get exiled to Elba or something? > [@](#): > > Examples of rare words in English? [Here you go](https://phrontistery.info/ihlstart.html), the International House of Logghorea. Over 17K to choose from. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/29 "2023-09-05T03:06:59Z")
Some words are only rare under ordinary circumstances. Within their specialized field, they’re well used. _Anemochory_, for instance, would be common in botany. _Supernatant_ is used in several fields, including wastewater treatment. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/30 "2023-09-05T03:35:33Z")
Hey. I have my own rare words. Googly. Thingamajig. Wompyjawed. Crampidy. I gots more. But I’ll stop. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/31 "2023-09-05T03:43:12Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Plectrum That’s an unusual pick ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/32 "2023-09-05T04:34:22Z")
> [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > That’s an unusual pick Ouch. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/33 "2023-09-05T05:42:24Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Here’s one: > Pleonasm. > > Bet you’ll never hear _that_ one in conversation… I hate to disappoint you, but I use the word pleonasm regularly, and most likely so do some of the Indonesian students I taught rhetorical devices to a few years ago. (Also, isn’t there a Doper named @Pleonast?) Pleonasm is a worthy concept. I favor well-considered pleonasm, but constantly ask myself, “is this repetitive language enhancing what I’m trying to say, either through emphasis or meter, or is it just flabby?” ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/34 "2023-09-05T07:11:13Z")
_Twas brillig, and the slithy tove Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves And the mome raths outgabe_ ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/35 "2023-09-05T07:35:27Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Zoofpoople has only ever been used once. Google’s webcrawlers are everywhere. 7 hours after your post and it gets the unique hit. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/36 "2023-09-05T07:37:15Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > _Supernatant_ is used in several fields, including wastewater treatment. No shit. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/37 "2023-09-05T09:36:13Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I use _persnickety_ alot. “Alot” should win the award for rarest word, since it’s so rare that it doesn’t exist at all! Although an alot is sometimes imagined to be a large furry horned creature, possibly extinct: 😉 [![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/14/f1/bf/14f1bf950966d579f4389032747962d3.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/14/f1/bf/14f1bf950966d579f4389032747962d3.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/38 "2023-09-05T09:57:06Z")
I’m still looking for a place to mention a fulcrum. Or even two, if possible, to make them fulcra. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/39 "2023-09-05T13:12:51Z")
Even better if they’re non-coaxial. (wink). ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623/40 "2023-09-05T14:27:44Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > > [@beowulff](#): > > > > Here’s one: > > Pleonasm. > > > > Bet you’ll never hear _that_ one in conversation… > > I hate to disappoint you, but I use the word pleonasm regularly, and most likely so do some of the Indonesian students I taught rhetorical devices to a few years ago. (Also, isn’t there a Doper named @Pleonast?) > > Pleonasm is a worthy concept. I favor well-considered pleonasm, but constantly ask myself, “is this repetitive language enhancing what I’m trying to say, either through emphasis or meter, or is it just flabby?” Who? 😉 I picked my name as a back-formation from “pleonastic”, another rarely used word. (I know exactly where I discovered it: the [Dune Encyclopedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dune_Encyclopedia)’s entry on Galach talked about “pleonastic pronouns”. I informally studied a lot of linguistics when I was young.) > [@wolfpup](#): > > “Alot” should win the award for rarest word, since it’s so rare that it doesn’t exist at all! Although an alot is sometimes imagined to be a large furry horned creature, possibly extinct: 😉 It’s a similar process as what happened with “all one”, “to day”, “an other”, “in stead”, etc. Enjoy the birthing of a new word! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rare-words/989623.md?page=3)