As a self-confessed word nerd, I love learning new words. Whether it’s something I read online or a sneaky (some might say lucky) move by one of my opponents on Words With Friends, I get a buzz from expanding my vocabulary with words for things I never knew had names.
Another great source for discovering new words is Pinterest, which is where I found most of these…
Actual words for everyday things
Aglet = the metal or plastic tube at each end of a shoelace
Agraffe = the wire cage that secures the cork in a bottle of bubbly
Coronis = the curved line or flourish at the end of a book or chapter
Ferrule = the metal part at the end of a pencil
Glabella = the space between your eyebrows
Grawlix = the typographical symbols used to represent a swear word, e.g. @#$%
Lacrimal caruncle = the small pink nodule in the inner corner of your eye
Lunula = the white crescent-shaped area at the base of your nails
Phloem bundles = the long stringy bits you get when peeling a banana
Phosphenes = the stars and colours you see when you rub your eyes
Pilcrow = the symbol (¶) used to mark a new paragraph or section of text
Pips = the dots on dice and dominoes; the symbols that denote suits and value of playing cards
Punt = the dimple found in the bottom of a wine bottle
Purlicue = the space between your thumb and index finger
Throat = the thin area of a racquet handle, where it meets the head
Tittle = a small dot or mark that’s part of a letter, such as the dot above ‘i’ and ‘j’
Zarf = the cardboard sleeve on take-out coffee cups to stop you burning your fingers
Over to you
So how many of these names were new to you? Do you know any other words for things most of us probably didn’t even know had names? If so, do please share them below and help me continue to expand my lexicon 🙂
(Image: TheMetaPicture.com)
can anyone name the levelling pads used at the bottom of table legs? They do have a specific name, but I have forgotten it~ and it’s driving me mad!
Thanks,
Pat
Hmmm, that’s an interesting question! Do you mean the height-adjustable screw ‘feet’ or the felt pads to prevent scratching a hard floor?
Pat – are you thinking of ‘glides’?
I’m very familiar with pilcrow and tittle – which happens to be one of my favourite words (I’m a typographer).
Loving ‘phloem bundles’. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Sarah & for the follow on Twitter. I imagine you come across lots of unusual terms through your job? “Phloem bundles” is certainly a weird one (perhaps I should do a follow-up post as to the words’ origins?) but I did manage to slip “phosphenes” into a conversation yesterday 🙂
Yes, the terminology of typography is fantastic. Much of it comes from the world of letterpress printing, which is the first time that type (rather than the handwritten or inscribed word) would have needed to be described. I have a little series of definitions which I share on Twitter – one per month, so keep your eyes peeled!
A post on the etymology of the words would be very interesting. I’m wondering if there’s any connection between punt and the phase ‘take a punt’. Or perhaps the link is with the flat bottomed boat, instead? It must have come from somewhere! 🙂
I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for your typography definitions, as they sound right up my street!
Yes, I feel an etymology post brewing as I reckon it will make fascinating reading…
Fantastic – I shall look forward to reading it!
I knew 2 (hurrah!) and will be trying to work some of new ones seamlessly into my conversations!
Good luck with that! Care to share which 2 you knew?
Ferrule and pips!
Dying to get Glabella and Grawlix out there…. Why them? No idea!
Interesting – those were both new to me. Grawlix reminds me of a Harry Potter spell 🙂