the Word Warriors' 2016 list of eminently useful words that should be brought back to enrich our language:
- Absquatulate
- To discreetly leave a gathering or party without informing the host.
- At the party, I made such a fool of myself that I felt it was best to absquatulate after a half hour.
- Anathema
- Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes.
- Supporting such a vile, bigoted candidate was anathema to the young voter.
- Delectation
- Pleasure and delight.
- I showed up with a box of chocolates for her delectation.
- Epigone
- A less distinguished follower or imitator of someone, especially an artist or philosopher.
Even their most loyal fans knew The Monkees were a silly, manufactured epigone of The Beatles.
- Puerile
- Childishly silly and trivial.
- When his old buddies came over, Jake transformed from a respected
businessman into an overgrown child, giggling at puerile jokes.
- Rumpus
- A noisy, confused or disruptive commotion.
- I entered the daycare, wondering how the teachers held onto their sanity during the daily rumpus.
- Sockdolager
- Something that settles a matter; a decisive blow or answer.
- On the playground, "I know you are, but what am I" is the ultimate sockdolager to many an argument.
- Sybaritic
- Fond of sensuous luxury or pleasure; self-indulgent.
- As soon as the kids were out of the house, Dan cashed out his savings and had a sybaritic retirement on the Florida coast.
- Torpid
- Mentally or physically inactive; lethargic.
- The torpid teen sat on the couch shoveling chips into his mouth, his eyes never breaking from Cartoon Network.
- Turpitude
- Depravity, wickedness.
- The trial exposed the public to the turpitude hiding behind his pleasant demeanor.
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