The English language has a whole lot of hundreds of cool distinctive phrases, with new phrases being created repeatedly. A few of these phrases might sound bizarre once you first encounter them, whether or not resulting from their pronunciation, their spelling, or a that means that takes you without warning.

There’s a pleasure and satisfaction in discovering a bizarre phrase that precisely describes what you meant. Whether or not you’re looking for bizarre phrases to explain somebody’s habits or to articulate an inexplicable emotion, rising your lexicon of bizarre phrases is useful.

What’s a bizarre phrase?

What defines a “bizarre phrase” is subjective. Listed here are a couple of causes a phrase would possibly get in your checklist of bizarre phrases:

It seems bizarre: You would possibly discover the phrase bizarre as a result of it’s among the many trickiest phrases to spell. Maybe the way in which the phrase is spelled seems nothing like the way it sounds phonetically. Conversely, generally misspelled phrases may be perplexing sufficient to be deemed bizarre.

It sounds bizarre: When spoken aloud, the phrase would possibly sound playful or absurd or would possibly actually elicit a chuckle.

It’s not generally used: Some phrases fall into disuse and change into archaic. Phrases which are not often utilized in writing or on a regular basis speech may be perceived as bizarre.

It has an sudden that means: Bizarre phrases even have the facility to shock or delight when you uncover their true definition.

It has an fascinating origin: The genesis of a phrase might be curious and intriguing sufficient so as to add it to your checklist of bizarre phrases.

22 bizarre phrases in English

That can assist you construct your vocabulary of bizarre phrases, we’ve pulled collectively a couple of examples of wierd phrases you won’t have heard earlier than.

1
Ballyrag

Pronounced: bally-rag

A part of speech: verb

Which means: To bully or annoyingly tease somebody

“His brother ballyragged him for dropping the sport for the third time.”

2
Buttress

Pronounced: but-tress

A part of speech: noun

Which means: A element that gives stability, energy, or help

“The cathedral’s centuries-old partitions have been lately bolstered with sturdy buttresses.”

3
Catawampus

Pronounced: cat-a-wam-pus

A part of speech: adjective

Which means: Standing askew or awry

“Within the aftermath of the earthquake, the as soon as straight fence stood catawampus, jutting out at odd angles from the cement.”

4
Chockablock

Pronounced: chock-a-block

A part of speech: adjective

Which means: Packed, brimming; very full

“The Tremendous Bowl enviornment was chockablock with followers scrambling to seek out their seats earlier than kickoff.”

5
Dongle

Pronounced: dongle

A part of speech: noun

Which means: A small digital system to attach a pc. Generally used as an adapter for different gadgets or for added options.

“You want a dongle to cost your smartphone to your laptop computer; in any other case the cables aren’t suitable.”

6
Frippery

Pronounced: frip-pery

A part of speech: noun

Which means: Clothes or finery that’s seen as frivolous or silly

“Their vests have been ostentatious, gilded with golden thread and frippery that jingled because the group marched by way of the gang.”

7
Gambo

Pronounced: gam-bo

A part of speech: noun

Which means: A low, flat farm cart

“She piled bales of hay onto the gambo and made her method to the stables.”

8
Hootenanny

Pronounced: hootn-Annie

A part of speech: noun

Which means: A casual gathering with people music

“The hootenanny had 5 string bands, decorations, and a giant dance flooring.”

9
Hullabaloo

Pronounced: hulla-buh-loo

A part of speech: noun

Which means: A commotion

“The looks of the stranger on the door created a hullabaloo among the many dinner friends.”

10
Innuendo

Pronounced: in-nu-en-do

A part of speech: noun

Which means: an insinuation, significantly one which veils an opinion about an individual’s character

“The comic’s delicate innuendo had the viewers laughing and in close to tears.”

11
Kenspeckle

Pronounced: ken-speck-le

A part of speech: adjective

Which means: Conspicuous

“With its towering spires piercing the sky, the kenspeckle landmark might be seen from miles away.”

12
Lollygag

Pronounced: lol-ly-gag

A part of speech: verb

Which means: Losing time, foolishly inflicting delay

“Preserve lollygagging with cleansing up your room, and also you’ll by no means make it in time to the get together.”

13
Oomph

Pronounced: um-ph

A part of speech: noun

Which means: To provide one thing punch or gusto; private allure or enchantment

“The particular results added oomph to the band’s efficiency.”

14
Popple

Pronounced: pop-ple

A part of speech: noun

Which means: Tough and uneven waters, usually referring to seafaring situations

“The water started to popple because the wind picked up on the bay.”

15
Sked

Pronounced: s-ked

A part of speech: noun

Which means: Schedule

“We have to test the sked to see when the subsequent practice arrives.”

16
Syzygy

Pronounced: sy-zy-ghee

A part of speech: noun

Which means: When three celestial our bodies are nearly aligned in a straight line

“Subsequent month, the Earth, moon, and solar shall be in syzygy, creating a complete photo voltaic eclipse.”

17
Ragtag

Pronounced: rag-tag

A part of speech: adjective

Which means: Untidy, disorganized, or different in character

“The militia was made up of a ragtag group pulled from the encompassing communities.”

18
Unked

Pronounced: un-ked

A part of speech: adjective

Which means: Unusual, bizarre, ghastly

“The previous, unked manor had an eerie ambiance that appeared cloistered in time.”

19
Verklempt

Pronounced: ver-Klemp-t

A part of speech: adjective

Which means: Seized with overwhelming emotion

“She turned verklempt with emotion upon receiving the sudden and considerate reward.”

20
Whiffler

Pronounced: whiffler

A part of speech: noun

Which means: An individual who dodges arguments by way of evasion; adjustments course typically

“The political rally featured a charismatic whiffler, skillfully managing the gang to take care of their power and enthusiasm for the candidate.”

21
Xeric

Pronounced: zer-ic

A part of speech: adjective

Which means: Needing solely minimal moisture

“Cacti is a xeric plant that’s well-adapted to arid environments and durations of drought.”

22
Zonk

Pronounced: z-onk

A part of speech: verb

Which means: To stun or strike; cross out

“After working the graveyard shift for the primary time, he felt utterly zonked and determined to take an influence nap.”

Use extra bizarre phrases

Experimenting with new and strange phrases can improve your writing and speech. Whether or not by weaving in unusual however memorable phrases in your writing or by utilizing an odd phrase as a dialog starter, circulating bizarre phrases can carry folks and ideas collectively.