GLABELLA — The space between your eyebrows
In traditional Chinese face reading, or physiognomy, the glabella is considered an important area that can indicate a person's fortune and health. A smooth, unblemished glabella is often seen as a sign of good luck and vitality.
PETRICHOR— The way it smells after it rains
The allure of petrichor goes beyond its pleasant fragrance; it is deeply ingrained in human experience. For many, the smell evokes memories of fresh beginnings, nostalgia, and a connection to nature. Some theories even suggest that humans have developed an evolutionary affinity for the scent of rain because it signals the arrival of water, essential for survival.
AGLET — The plastic or metallic coating at the end of your shoelaces
The first aglets were made of metal or glass and were used by ancient Romans and Greeks to prevent their leather laces from fraying. These early versions were often ornate and served not just a practical function but also as a status symbol, with wealthier individuals adorning their laces with aglets made of precious metals or intricately crafted designs.
WAMBLE — When your stomach rumbles
Biologically, a wamble occurs due to the movement of gas and fluids through the intestines, a process known as peristalsis. Peristalsis involves the rhythmic contractions of the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, which help propel food, liquid, and gas through the digestive system. When the stomach and intestines are empty, these contractions can cause the walls of the organs to rub against each other, creating the characteristic rumbling noise.
VAGITUS — The cry of a newborn baby
That first, unmistakable cry after birth, known as vagitus, is more than just a sound—it's a triumphant announcement of life! This cry signals the baby's lungs are opening up and taking their first breaths of fresh air outside the womb. It's a crucial moment as the cry helps clear out amniotic fluid and mucus from the airways, allowing the baby to breathe independently. This awe-inspiring moment marks the beginning of the baby's journey in the world, a powerful transition from the protected environment of the womb to the vast possibilities of life ahead.
TINES — The prongs of a fork
Historically, the fork as we know it today, complete with tines, has evolved significantly over the centuries. Early versions of forks can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who used them primarily as cooking tools rather than dining utensils. These early forks typically had two tines and were used to handle meat and other foods during preparation and serving.
The transition of forks from kitchen tools to dining utensils began in the Middle Ages, particularly in the Byzantine Empire. By the 11th century, forks were introduced to Italy, primarily among the nobility, where they were initially met with resistance and seen as unnecessary or even sinful by some. Over time, however, the convenience and cleanliness of using forks for dining became apparent, and their use gradually spread throughout Europe.
PHOSPHENES — The sheen of light that you see when you close your eyes and press your hands on them is called phosphenes.
When you press your hands against your closed eyes, you exert pressure on the photoreceptor cells in the retina—rods and cones—which are typically activated by light. This pressure causes these cells to send signals to the brain, interpreted as light or visual patterns. The result is a display of twinkling or pulsating lights and shapes, often in a variety of colors.
TENT — The tiny plastic thing placed in the middle of a pizza box
The "pizza saver," also known as a "pizza tent," is a small but interesting innovation. It was patented in 1985 by Carmela Vitale, an Italian American woman from Long Island, NY. She called it a "package saver" in her patent, but it was really the pizza that’s being saved. Carmela designed it to prevent the pizza box lid from sagging and sticking to the cheese and toppings. It’s especially a problem when multiple boxes are stacked.
OVERMORROW — The day after tomorrow
Overmorrow comes from Middle English, where "over" means "beyond" and "morrow" means "the next day." So, it literally means "beyond the next day." Commonly used in older English it has fallen out of everyday use. Similarly, there's also a word for "the day before yesterday" called ereyesterday. It comes from "ere," meaning "before," and "yesterday."
MINIMUS — Your little toe or finger
Despite being the smallest, the minimus plays a crucial role in balance and grip. The little toe helps maintain stability and balance while standing or walking. Similarly, the little finger contributes significantly to the strength and dexterity of the hand, especially in tasks requiring fine motor skills.
AGRAFFE— The wired cage that holds the cork on a bottle of champagne
The pressure inside a bottle of champagne can reach up to 90 pounds per square inch—about three times the pressure in a car tire. The Agraffe replaced the earlier method of tying down the cork with twine, which was less effective at withstanding the pressure inside the bottle. Invented in the 1840s by Adolphe Jacquesson, a French champagne maker.
VOCALBES — The 'na na na' and 'la la la', which have nor real meaning in the lyrics of any song
Vocables are non-lexical syllables used in music. They don't carry a specific meaning but are used for their rhythmic, melodic, or emotional effects. Think of them as musical fillers that make songs more engaging.
Universal Appeal: These syllables work across languages and cultures, making them a universal part of music. Whether you're listening to pop, rock, jazz, or world music, vocables help connect people through sound.
Emotional Expression: It's not about the words but the feeling - they can express emotions like joy, excitement, or nostalgia, adding depth to a song without using actual words.
INTERROBANG — When you combine a question mark with an exclamation mark (❓❗)
Invented in 1962 by Martin K. Speckter, an American advertising executive. He created it to express surprise or rhetorical questions in a more concise and engaging way, combining the punctuation for both a question (interrogation) and an exclamation (bang, a printer's term for exclamation point).
Despite its practical purpose, the interrobang remains relatively rare in everyday use. Its appeal lies in its ability to convey strong emotion and emphasis, making it a favorite among enthusiasts of language and typography.
COLUMELLA NASI — The space between your nostrils
The "columella" comes from Latin and means "little column”. It consists of skin, soft tissue, and cartilage. The cartilaginous portion is primarily formed by the medial crura of the lower lateral cartilages, also known as the alar cartilages. This structure helps provide support to the nasal tip and plays a crucial role in the overall aesthetics of the nose.
ARMSCYE— The armhole in clothes, where the sleeves are sewn
Historically, the design of armscyes has evolved along with fashion trends and garment technology. In earlier centuries, clothing was often looser and less fitted, resulting in larger armscyes. As fashion shifted towards more tailored and form-fitting garments, the armscye became more precisely cut and sewn to achieve a sleeker silhouette.
DYSANIA— Finding it difficult to get out of bed in the morning
The feeling of dysania can also be influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors. Stressful jobs, lack of physical activity, poor diet, and inadequate exposure to natural light can all contribute to difficulties in waking up. In modern society, the prevalence of artificial lighting and screen time can further disrupt sleep patterns, exacerbating the problem.
GRIFFONAGE — Illegible handwriting
Historically, legible handwriting was a prized skill, rigorously taught in schools. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, styles like Spencerian and Palmer script were the gold standard, showcasing education and refinement. However, as typewriters and then computers became prevalent, the focus on perfect penmanship faded, leading to more instances of griffonage, or messy handwriting.
TITTLE — The dot over an "i" or a “j”
The dot above the letters 'i' and 'j' is called a "tittle." This term comes from the same root as "title" and was first used in the English language in the 14th century. The tittle helps distinguish these letters from others that have similar forms, like 'l' and '1'.
CRAPULENCE — That sick feeling you get after eating or drinking too
Crapulence in English dates back to the early 18th century. It comes from the Late Latin word crapulentia, meaning "intoxication" or "sickness from overindulgence" and the Latin word itself is derived from crapula, meaning "drunkenness" or "hangover". Over time, its meaning expanded to include the unpleasant feeling resulting from overeating, not just overdrinking. While similar, it is not related to the word crap which developed separately and has a different origin.
BRANNOCK — The metal thing used to measure your feet at the shoe store
The Brannock Device is an ingenious invention that has been a staple in shoe stores around the world since its creation in the 1920s. Named after its inventor, Charles F. Brannock, this device provides an accurate measurement of foot length, width, and arch length, ensuring a proper fit for shoes.
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