In the realm of linguistics and language enthusiasts, there exists a unique initiative known as 'Wayne State University's Word Warriors.' Now celebrating its 15th year, this program has a remarkable mission: to resurrect words that have long been buried in the annals of history but are not entirely forgotten. Each year, the Word Warriors compile a list of these lost treasures, sourced from submissions by both website administrators and the global public. These cherished words are given a new lease on life, shared on wordwarriors.wayne.edu, and on Facebook for a wider audience to embrace. Chris Williams, Assistant Director of Editorial Services for Wayne State Marketing and Communications, and the driving force behind the Word Warriors program, has described this year's list as nothing short of evocative. He delights in envisioning the petrichor that follows a summer thunderstorm or the melodic twankle of a guitar. This year's selection promises to infuse our language with vitality. Now, let's explore the 2024 Word Warriors list, a collection of words that are not only intriguing but also incredibly useful, each deserving a resurgence in our daily discourse.
Resurrecting Lost Language Gems
"Wayne State University's Word Warriors" program, now in its 15th year, aims to revive long-lost but not entirely forgotten words. The annual list is made up of submissions from both the website's administrators and the general public. People from around the world have seen their favorite words brought back from the brink of obscurity at wordwarriors.wayne.edu. New entries are posted there, as well as on Facebook, on a weekly basis. "Once again, our Word Warriors have provided a collection of words that make our language a bit livelier," said Chris Williams, Assistant Director of Editorial Services for Wayne State Marketing and Communications, and the head of the Word Warriors program. "This year's list is particularly evocative. I love to picture myself inhaling the petrichor after a summer thunderstorm or listening to someone twankle away on a guitar. It's really a great selection this year." And now, here are the Word Warriors' 2024 list of eminently useful words that should be brought back to enrich our language.
2024 Word Warriors List: Words Worth Reviving
- 1. Blatherskite: A person who talks at great length without making much sense. The cable TV commentator was a blatherskite who produced 30 minutes of angry nonsense each night.
- 2. Curglaff: The shock felt when one first plunges into cold water. He dove into the pool without thinking, and the curglaff caused him to shriek when he came up for air.
- 3. Dollop: A shapeless mass or blob of something, especially soft food. He sat down to enjoy a nice steak, grilled asparagus, and a baked potato topped with a giant dollop of sour cream.
- 4. Kaffeeklatsch: An informal social gathering at which coffee is served. After the kids got on the bus, the parents headed to the porch for their morning kaffeeklatsch.
- 5. Pawky: Having a mocking or cynical sense of humor. He had a pawky wit that undercut his superiors' self-importance. 6. Petrichor: A pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather. He walked outside after the storm, the petrichor lifting his spirits as he hiked around the campground.
- 7. Pettifogger: An inferior legal practitioner, especially one who deals with petty cases or employs dubious practices. He started with dreams of being a Supreme Court justice but in practice he was just another ambulance-chasing pettifogger. 8. Rawgabbit: A person who speaks confidently but ignorantly. My social media feed is filled with rawgabbits trying to explain everything from epidemiology to engineering.
- 9. Thunderplump: A heavy fall of rain during a thunderstorm. He'd hoped he could get home before the storm got too bad, but found himself instead jogging through a soggy thunderplump.
- 10. Twankle: To twang with the fingers on a musical instrument. He sat on the porch as dusk rolled in, twankling an old childhood favorite on the banjo.
Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, the Word Warriors of Wayne State University continue their noble mission of reviving forgotten words, enriching our language, and sparking intriguing conversations with their carefully curated 2024 word list.