Uncommon Words for Common Stuff Quiz

Answer: emotional over-eating

Kummerspeck is from the German "Kummer" (grief or sorrow) and "Speck" (layer of fat or bacon), i.e., grief bacon or sorrow fat. It refers to the times when we are under stress and overeat. The overeating often results in weight gain, thereby leading to even more emotional pressure and creating a vicious cycle.

Answer: cardboard coffee holder

When you buy coffee at places like Starbucks, the containers come without a handle. In order to avoid burning your hand, the beverage includes a cardboard sleeve in the middle of the cup. Now you can impress (or annoy) your friends by telling them that the name for this particular device is a zarf.

The word zarf comes from Turkey, from the Arabic word which translates as an envelope or cover. It was originally designed as a metal holder in which cups of coffee were placed, and used to prevent harm from the hot beverage.

Answer: bright spots in front of your eyes

Did you ever notice spots or dots of light in front of your eyes, and when you try to focus on them they keep moving? These spots, i.e., phosphenes, are not created by an outside light but by photosensitive cells in the eye which transmit signals of light to the brain when there is pressure on the eyeball fluid. The word is from the Greek "phos" (light) and "phainein" (to show).

Answer: stomach rumbling

You know that embarrassing grumbling, gurgling noise your abdomen makes when you're hungry? From the Greek, it's called borborygmus or, if you have more than one, borborygmi. The sound is the result of the movement of gas and fluid in the intestine and, while completely natural, it is still a source of discomfort.

Answer: the part of the back you can't reach

You know the part of your back where, when you get an itch, you can't reach it to scratch, so you ask a friend or reach for a back scratcher? This infuriating space between your shoulder blades actually has a name. From the ancient Greek word "knestis" (spine or cheese-grater), it is called acnestis.

Answer: separation of a compound word with intervening words

From the 16th century Greek word "tmesis" (cutting), we get the concept of separating a compound word with intervening words, usually in informal speech. Examples of tmesis include: "Ledgen...wait for it...Dary" or "whole nother story" or "fan-friggin'-tastic and "some other where".

Answer: bad handwriting

From the Middle French, "grifouner" (to scribble), we get the noun griffonage, which is defined as a crude or illegible scrawl or, more simply, a bad or careless handwriting. An example might be a doctor's prescription; in a sentence you could say "even if you are in a hurry, try not to have griffonage".

Answer: stretching extremities upon waking

Pandiculation is something everyone does but most people don't realize there's a word for it; from the Latin "pandiculari" (to stretch oneself). It is a stretching of the extremities usually upon waking up or when drowsy or tired; it is often accompanied by yawning.

Answer: pins and needles in extremities

Everyone, at some time in his/her life has experienced "pins and needles" in their hands or feet, as in when you say your foot fell asleep. This dermal, tingling sensation is called parasthesia, from the Greek "para" (alongside) and "aisthesis" (sensation).

It can also include a chilling, burning or numb sensation. This feeling can be transient or chronic, e.g., a symptom of an underlying neurological problem.

Answer: difficulty getting out of bed

Who among us hasn't hit the snooze button on a weekday morning? You may be interested to know that there is actually a name for a chronic inability to get out of bed, i.e., dysania. It sounds so much classier than "just plain lazy"! However, if this is a condition you face on a daily basis, it may be a symptom of an underlying condition like depression or some physical disorder.

The origin seems to be from the prefix "dys" (ill or bad) and the suffix "ania" (grace).

Answer: butterflies in the stomach

When it comes time to take a test, give a presentation, perform or go to the dentist, do you get nervous? When faced with a stressful situation, many of us get anxious and wind up with figurative butterflies in our stomachs. That discomfort or queasiness, i.e., a tension bellyache, can also be described as having the collywobbles.

The word is from the early 19th century English words "colic" and "wobble".

Answer: a bad habit

Akrasia is from the Greek word "acrasia" (lacking command). It is a philosophical concept defined as the state of mind in which one acts against his better judgment through lack of self-control or weakness. Acting contrary to your own best interests (politically, emotionally or medically) can also be explained as employing bad habits.

Answer: misheard lyrics of a song

Mondegreens are fun. They are the result of misheard or misunderstood phrases or song lyrics. the term was coined in 1950 by Englishwoman Sylvia Wright when, from "The Bonnie Earl of Murray", she heard the line "They hae slain the Earl of Murray, and lay him on the green", as "They hae slain the Earl of Murray and Lady Mondegreen".

Other examples: "'Scuse me while I kiss this guy" or "Secret Asian Man" or "...to the public for Richard Stands".

Answer: eating or drinking lying down

From the Latin "accubare" (to recline), accubation is the act of eating or drinking lying down "as practiced by the ancients at meals". The picture in my mind is of Dionysus, reclining on a sofa while eating grapes and drinking wine or the Hedonismbot on "The Simpsons". Accubation could be messy and is not encouraged in polite society.

Answer: forgetting one's name (for an introduction)

So you're walking with a friend when you come upon another acquaintance. You stop to say hello but when you start the introductions, you have forgotten your acquaintance's name. Tartle is a Scottish word for hesitating to introduce someone because you can't remember their name. Example: "I went to introduce my boss to my wife and I completely tartled". Embarrassing!