Ultimate Vocabulary

More Rude Words That Aren't

Following the positive response to Words That Sound Rude But Aren't, here is another fun compilation of words that sound rude but are really quite innocuous.

Tip: If you are serious about improving your vocabulary, then Denise and I highly recommend you try the popular vocabulary-improvement software Ultimate Vocabulary. Click Ultimate Vocabulary for details.*


Acephalous, adjective, does not mean a particularly fine-looking phallus. In fact, you would not want to associate this word with your phallus. It means "headless".

Booboisie, noun, means the class of people whom might be described as "boobs"; or, as Peter Bowler cleverly describes them, "the slower class". It is included here because it has the word "boob" in it.

Bottomry, verb, means to pledge a ship as security for money lent. So that's what that sailor meant when he said he wanted to bottomry?

Coccyx, noun, is a part of the body, but not THAT part of the body. It is the small bone at the bottom of your spinal column, also known as your tailbone. (Tee-hee, I said "bottom".)

Cockalorum, noun, is a self-important little man. Probably best not to say "cock" for short.

Farceur, noun, is a joker or a wag. My mum's a bit of a joker. Does that make her a mother farceur?

Fartlek, noun, has nothing to do with flatulence. Rather, it is a method of training for middle- and long-distance running, in which the athlete runs cross country, mixing fast with slow work.

Fucoid, adjective, means resembling or belonging to seaweeds. Why, what did YOU think it meant?

Interbastate, verb, means to quilt. My auntie Carol interbastates all the time. 

Masticate, verb, chew food. Who doesn't like to masticate in the evenings?!

Pinis radiata, noun, is included in this list just for my brother. When he was young, he had a fit of the giggles reading this scientific name for a common kind of pine tree.

Pisiform, adjective, is not an adjective for describing how badly my favourite football team are playing. It simply means shaped like a pea.

Sackbut, noun, is nowhere near the coccyx (at least, not usually). It is a Renaissance-era musical instrument; a bass trumpet with a slide like that of a trombone for altering the pitch.

Titubation, noun, means staggering, reeling, tottering; unsteadiness in gait or carriage. The lesson? Take care when you are titubating.

Undergrope, verb, is an old term for investigate. I thought it might have had something to do with sackbutts.

Whangdoodle, noun, is an imaginary creature. When I was younger, I used to play with my whangdoodle.

References

Peter Bowler, The Superior Person's Second Book of Weird and Wondrous Words (2003)

Oxford English Dictionary Online


*Denise and I recommend only products that we have tried and tested. These include Ultimate Vocabulary. We have agreed to receive a commission from some sales of Ultimate Vocabulary because we are happy to endorse that software.

Last modified on Thursday, 22 September 2011 02:47
English Language Skills (Troy)

English Language Skills (Troy)

I have a law degree, I've run an award-winning business, and I am a published author.

My most popular book is Funny English Errors and Insights: Illustrated.

My new book is The Funny Dictionary.

I have a particular interest in vocabulary improvement and speed reading.

Website: www.english-language-skiils.com E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
You are here: Improve Your Vocabulary More Rude Words That Aren't
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS