Unique English words that Dr Shashi Tharoor taught us
Former Under Secretary General- United Nations, turned politician, and author Dr Shashi Tharoor's official Twitter account is quite an interesting page. From politics to his personal opinions, he tweets about many subjects in the most articulate manner on the platform. But what catches people's attention is his intriguing use of lesser known words; the most popular being 'Farrago' which shot Dr Tharoor to fame among tweeples, after he used it in one of his tweets in 2017. Since then, every few days, Dr Tharoor makes most Indians reach out for the dictionary and learn a new English word! In fact, most readers wouldn't even know such English words existed had he not used them in his interesting tweets.
Here, we list down some unique English words that Dr Shashi Tharoor taught us. Read on!
Sesquipedalian
Sesquipedalian (adjective)
Prounciation: sɛskwɪpɪˈdeɪlɪən
Meaning: polysyllabic; long
(Definition from Oxford Languages)
Limpid
Limpid (adjective)
Prounciation: lɪmpɪd
Meaning: clear
Perspicacity
Perspicacity (noun)
Prounciation: ˌpəːspɪˈkasɪti
Meaning: the quality of having a ready insight into things; shrewdness.
(Definition from Oxford Languages)
Convolution
Convolution (noun)
Prounciation: ˌkɒnvəˈluːʃ(ə)n
Meaning: a thing that is complex and difficult.
(Definition from Oxford Languages)
Ostentation
Ostentation (noun)
Prounciation: ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃ(ə)n
Meaning: the pretentious or showy display of wealth and luxury, designed to impress.
(Definition from Oxford Languages)
Gonzo
Gonzo (adjective)
Prononounciation: gon-zo
Meaning: relating to or denoting journalism of an exaggerated, subjective, and fictionalized style.
Muliebrity
Muliebrity (noun)
Pronounciation: myoo-lee-eb-ri-tee
Meaning: Womanly qualities; womanliness
Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia
Pronounciation: hip‧po‧po‧to‧mon‧stro‧ses‧qui‧pe‧dal‧i‧o‧pho‧bi‧a
Meaning: The fear of long words.
Floccinaucinihilipilification
Pronounciation: floccī-naucī-nihilī-pilī-fication
Meaning: The action or habit of estimating something as worthless.
Lalochezia
Pronounciation: la-lO-'chez-E-o
Meaning: Emotional relief gained by using indecent or vulgar language
Rodomontade
Pronounciation: ro·do·mon·tade
Meaning: Boastful or inflated talk or behaviour
Kakistocracy
Pronounciation: kak·is·toc·ra·cy
Meaning: Government by the least suitable or competent citizens of a state.
Scripturient
Pronounciation: skrip-'tUr-E-ent
Meaning: Having a strong urge to write.
Parturient
Pronounciation: par·tu·ri·ent
Meaning: (of a woman or female mammal) about to give birth; in labour.
Esurient
Pronounciation: esu·ri·ent
Meaning: Hungry or greedy.
Prurient
Pronounciation: pru·ri·ent
Meaning: Having or encouraging an excessive interest in sexual matters, especially the sexual activity of others.
Snollygoster
Pronounciation: snol·ly·gos·ter
Meaning: A shrewd, unprincipled person, especially a politician.