You See Them Everyday, But You May Not Know They Have Names

[timmy]

 

Phosphenes

Usually you'll just see black when you close your eyes. However, everyone experiences the sensation of seeing bright lights if they close their eyes very tightly. These lights are known as phosphenes, which comes from the Greek words that mean "to show light."

 

[timmy]

 

Lunule

Some people might refer to them as tips, but the white, crescent-shaped top part of your nails are actually called lunules. The name is derived from "lunar," since the nail segments are shaped like crescent moons.

 

 

 

[timmy]

 

Petrichor

Most people are soothed by the natural scent of nature after rainfall without realizing that there really is a distinct smell. This heavenly smell is real, and is called petrichor.

 

[timmy]

 

Nurdle

People overcome many hurdles each day, and if they listen to their dentist, then they also face two to three nurdles a day. Nurdle is the term for the small dab of toothpaste you put on your toothbrush each morning and night.

 

[timmy]

 

Barm

Instead of saying "foam" or "head," you can either impress or annoy your friends by using the more specific term for the tiny bubbles that collect at the top of a beer after it is poured. Barm refers only to foam that collects on fermented alcoholic beverages.

 

[timmy]

Zarf

Next time you're ordering a hot drink from Starbucks, be sure to ask for a zarf. Ok, maybe just save your barista the confusion and say sleeve instead, but know that the correct term for this hollow, cardboard cylinder is "zarf."

 

[timmy]

 

Griffonage

Griffonage is sometimes the most frustrating part of someone's day, especially for schoolteachers. The term refers to illegible handwriting. Thankfully, the prominence of typing is helping this annoyance disappear.

 

[timmy]

 

Crapulence

It's a shame this word isn't used more often since it so eloquently encapsulates what it describes. Crapulence is the sick feeling you get after eating or drinking too much. Maybe you can diversify your vocab by using it instead of "hungover" next time.

 

[timmy]

 

Lemniscate

You'll sound super smart by saying "lemniscate" instead of "infinity symbol" or "figure 8" like everyone else. The word is originally derived from the Latin word for "ribbon," since the material is known for its curviture.

 

[timmy]

 

Armscye

Unless you're a seamstress, you probably refer to that hole between your shirt and its sleeve as an armhole, or you just don't refer to it at all. The proper term for this hole is the armscye.

 

[timmy]

 

Philtrum

You know that little groove between your lips and nose? It actually has a name. In other mammals, the philtrum is used to carry moisture from the mouth to the nose pad, but the human philtrum serves no apparent function.

 

 

 

[timmy]

 

Tittle

Technically, you aren't putting a dot on your lower-case I's and J's; you're putting a tittle on them. That's right, this dot gets a special — albeit giggle-inducing — name

 

[timmy]

 

Aglet

Those plastic things on the ends of your shoelaces that you probably never think about are called aglets. We doubt you'll ever need to know this information, but I guess it could helpful for impressing people at a (boring) party?

 

[timmy]

 

Purlicue

The space between your pointer finger and your thumb is referred to as the purlicue. The word is also used in reference to a flourish or curl at the end of a handwritten word.

 

[timmy]

 

Feat

Superman was famous for his feats of heroism, but he was also famous for another feat. While the word is normally used to describe an achievement, it is also the correct name for a dangling piece of curly hair.