There are a lot of words in the English language. Some are really common, some are really old, and some are really weird. If you Google "weird words" or "unusual" words, there are words with way too many letters, words that are super short but you've never heard of, and a variety of other weird, wacky, and fun words.
There are also dozens of lists of old words, weird words, long words, short words--pretty much anything you might be looking for.
But this list? It’s all about words that are oddly specific. Who knew we needed words for these super niche things? And yet, they exist.
1. Abecedarian
Definition: Someone who is learning the alphabet.
It’s crucial to learn the alphabet—after all, it’s the foundation of reading and writing in any language. But did you know there’s a specific word for someone who’s just starting that journey?
Enter the abecedarian, a term for anyone, especially young learners, who’s mastering the ABCs. It might sound like it belongs next to "octogenarian," but it’s actually all about the basics of literacy. Imagine: every kindergartner in the world is technically an abecedarian!
Who knew learning the alphabet deserved its own title?
This graphic even shows you how to draw the letters. Although, I didn't draw any of my letters like this ever. Just goes to show how much education changes.
2. Accubation
Definition: The practice of eating and drinking while lying down.
Probably more people do this than are willing to admit. Think about it: Netflix binges, snacks in bed, or lazy Sunday mornings with breakfast in hand—how many of us have truly mastered the art of accubation?
While it might seem like a modern indulgence, this oddly specific practice has ancient roots, with Romans and Greeks famously dining in reclined positions.
Turns out, you’re not just lounging—you’re participating in a time-honored tradition which has it’s own weirdly specific word in the English language!
I searched for grapes, and found raspberries. Yum.
3. Batrachophagous
Definition: Feeding on frogs.
While I can’t say I’ve tried it, there are certainly some batrachophagous creatures out there. My dog, for example, is a fan of frog snacks. And let’s not forget about humans—frog legs are a delicacy in some parts of the world.
So now you can impress your friends by dropping this oddly specific word at dinner! The batrachophagous diner enjoyed their deep-fried frog legs with gusto.
It appears that someone has already eaten this frog. Please go find your frog meal elsewhere.
4. Brevirostrate
Definition: Having a short beak or bill.
This word might seem obscure unless you’re a bird scientist or ornithologist, but it’s perfect for describing birds with short beaks.
Even if you're not studying birds, you might find a way to slip brevirostrate into your next book—it's one of those oddly specific words that sticks in your head.
Even the brevirostrate birds would agree that the word is almost as unique as they are!
This owl is bored/not amused by your word play.
5. Chirotonsor
Definition: Barber.
Yup.
The word chirotonsor is an old-fashioned term for barber, derived from the Greek words for "hand" and "clipper."
So, technically, I guess it means "handclipper."
Next time you visit the salon or barbershop, you can impress your chirotonsor with this oddly specific word! Henceforth, all barbers and hairdressers shall be yclept "Chirotonsor of Handclippers."
Isn't this a very elegant-looking pair of scissors? I'm a fan. A Sieling fan. PUN. Also, tangent.
6. Dehisce
Definition: To gape or burst open (as in a pod or a wound).
Okay, let’s be real—this word can be a bit gross, especially when it comes to wounds.
But when it refers to plants, dehisce is actually pretty cool.
Take the snapdragon plant, for example: when the pod bursts open, the seeds fly out in an almost spring-loaded fashion. It’s a perfect example of dehiscence in nature—and definitely one of the more oddly specific words for something so common in the plant world.
Who knew seed dispersal could be so epic?
Okay, so not exactly a pod or a wound, but it'll have to do. It kind of looks like it just exploded...?
7. Deltiologist
Definition: A collector of picture post cards.
If you’ve ever been fascinated by postcards, you might just be a deltiologist—someone who collects picture postcards. Whether it’s vintage travel postcards or quirky designs, this is one of those oddly specific hobbies that could easily turn into a lifelong passion.
Honestly, this is a profession I could totally get behind!
I have sent many epic postcards in my life, but none so epic as this.
8. Erinaceous
Definition: Of a hedgehog family.
Ever wondered how to describe something that resembles a hedgehog? Enter the word erinaceous! While it's perfect for zoologists or fans of these spiky little creatures, I imagine there’s also a group of erinaceous aliens out there who will one day appreciate the existence of this word when they first encounter English-speaking humans.
And let’s be real—humans will need this oddly specific word too. After all, how else would we describe these hedgehog-like beings?
OMG HEDGEHOGS. IT'S PLAYING WITH AN APPLE. MOM, CAN I GET ONE?
9. Estrapade
Definition: When a horse tries to get rid of its rider by bucking and kicking
Never again will you have to say, "The horse tried to rid itself of it's rider by kicking and bucking." Now you can simply say, "the horse estrapaded!"
This oddly specific word perfectly describes the bucking and kicking frenzy when a horse decides it’s done with its rider. Next time you witness a rodeo or an uncooperative horse, you’ll have the quirky vocabulary to match!
This horse isn't technically estrapading, as it has no rider. Instead, you can see clearly that the horse estrapaded successfully, as, well, it has no rider.
10. Favillous
Definition: Resembling ashes.
Favillous is one of those oddly specific words that you didn’t know you needed—until now. While it may seem rare to encounter things that resemble ashes, this word can describe anything from the gray, powdery remnants of a fire to soft, snowy landscapes that evoke the same ashy hue.
Whether you're describing an overcast sky or a delicate dusting of powder, favillous gives you the perfect term for that ashen look.
These are supposedly ashes from Mt. St. Helens. I'm not sure if they count as favillous though because they actually are ashes...
11. Gossypiboma
Definition: An object, such as a sponge, that is left behind after surgery.
Imagine hearing this from your doctor: "I'm sorry to say, you have a gossypiboma."
You might panic at first, but rest assured—it's just a fancy word for a sponge or object accidentally left behind after surgery.
While it’s certainly not ideal, the word itself is one of those oddly specific medical terms that sounds much more alarming than it is. So next time your doctor throws out medical jargon, you’ll have this quirky word ready!
Hopefully he won't leave this kind of sponge in after surgery or else you may have bigger problems, as in, you need a new doctor :P
12. Kyphorrhinos
Definition: A nose that has a hump.
Ever wondered what to call a nose with a little rise or bump on the bridge? It’s called kyphorrhinos!
Whether it’s a small curve or something a little more pronounced, now you’ve got the perfect oddly specific word for it. Imagine asking, "How’s your kyphorrhinos today, friend?"
And yes, you might have noticed the word "rhinos" hidden in there—because, just like the mighty rhinoceros, it’s all about that nose!
This guy doesn't have to worry about kyphorrhinos.
13. Nelipot
Definition: Someone who goes barefoot.
If you love walking around barefoot, congratulations—you’re officially a nelipot!
This oddly specific word perfectly describes anyone who prefers the feel of the ground beneath their feet, rather than shoes.
In fact, I’m tempted to add nelipot to my resume as one of my greatest accomplishments.
So, next time you’re kicking off your shoes, remember—you’re not just going barefoot, you’re embracing your inner nelipot!
This is a foot.
This is also a foot.
Quite a different foot.
14. Pogontomy
Definition: The cutting of a beard.
While I don’t personally engage in pogontomy, it’s a regular ritual in my family.
Every few weeks, when the beards start looking a bit too long or scruffy, it’s time for a round of beard trimming.
So, if you’ve got someone in your life who’s dedicated to keeping their beard in check, now you’ve got the perfect, oddly specific word to describe their grooming routine!
15. Psithurism
Definition: The sound of the wind in the trees and the rustling of leaves.
I love the word psithurism almost as much as I love the word petrichor. S
ure, you could just say "the trees rustled in the wind," but isn’t it wonderful that there’s a single word that captures the essence of this sound? While it may not be the easiest word to slip into a conversation, I’m just happy to live in a universe where a word like psithurism exists.
This is the kind of woods where I imagine the space around me is filled with psithursim.
16. Qualtagh
Definition: The first person you encounter after leaving home.
This concept is truly fascinating when you think about it.
The qualtagh—the first person you meet after stepping outside—can set the tone for your entire day. If they're a thief, your plans might derail as you spend the day at the bank or DMV. On the other hand, a kind qualtagh could hand you something you dropped, saving you from the hassle of a missed errand.
Whether their interaction is pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral, that first encounter has the power to shape your mood and influence the rest of your day.
Which one of these people would you like to meet after first leaving your house? I'm thinking the lady with the goose.
17. Scolecophagus
Definition: A person who eats worms.
I know, it’s a pretty horrific concept, but believe it or not, there’s even a song about it: "Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I’m gonna go eat worms... big fat juicy ones, itsy bitsy tiny ones, the wriggly ones that make you squirm..." You get the idea.
And while we might not have needed a word for this, here it is—scolecophagus—for all those worm-eating enthusiasts (if they exist) out there.
I agree--the picture makes it ten times worse.
18. Tetrapyloctomy
Definition: The art of splitting a hair four ways.
Now this is a skill! Tetrapyloctomy may be an unnecessary and ridiculously specific word, but it’s also nothing short of amazing.
Whether you’re talking metaphorically about overcomplicating things or literally about splitting a hair four ways, this unnecessarily specific word has a certain charm.
It’s the kind of term that’s as hilariously niche as it is impressive—if splitting hairs was a competitive sport, this would be the gold standard.
You could spend a lot of time splitting hairs if you used the hairs on this... creature. I think it might be a dog, but I'm not entirely certain.
19. Ulotrichous
Definition: Belonging to a group of people with wooly or crispy curly hair.
If you’ve got thick, curly, or even frizzy hair, you might just belong to the ulotrichous group! While I wouldn’t call my hair "crispy," it certainly has its fair share of frizz and volume.
This word is perfect for those with that signature textured hair type—so if your hair falls into the category of wooly or tightly curled, now you know there’s an oddly specific word for it.
Do you have ulotrichous hair?
This guy does look a lot like me though.
20. Xerophagy
Definition The practice of eating dry food.
Please raise your hand if your diet consists entirely of dry food. And then write a comment or message me or email me or SOMETHING. I am SO CURIOUS about what this actually looks like (if it's real). Although, I guess my cats are on an all dry food diet. Hm.
Seems like the Canadians from Calgary are already on their way to a successful dry food diet.
So there you have it--my list of weird words. I love words and I love weird words. What are your favourites?
BONUS WORD
21. Grimalkin
Definition: a cat.
It literally means cat.
Derived from the word "grey" and "malkin" (which also means cat, among other things), grimalkin is a wonderfully old-fashioned way to describe our feline friends.
Personally, I like it because it sounds a lot like "gremlin," and if you’ve ever owned a cat, you know how fitting that comparison can be!
…and it certainly describes my feline friends aptly!
This cat has a quail on its head. Seems like an unfortunate position for the cat. No one wants to be the statue, if you get my meaning ;)