50 Strange Words You’ll Want to Start Using

By Jon Mayer |
"Magnifying glass" is actually two words.
"Magnifying glass" is actually two words. / patpitchaya // iStock via Getty Images Plus

Obscure words are the senior citizens of the dictionary: often overlooked, but eminently capable of making the world a more interesting place to live.

Some of the unusual words on this list, like gallagaskins and quakebuttock, are actually archaic. Others, like cafuné and dépaysement, come to us from other languages. In this episode ofThe List Show, Mental Floss editor-in-chief Erin McCarthy shares the meaning of 50 words you’ll be happy to know.

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