The English language contains over 170,000 words. Yet, almost all of what we read in newspapers, write in emails and shout at recalcitrant vending machines is made up of a mere 3,000 commonly used words.
Sequestered within the remaining 98% is a wealth of neglected gems; as beautiful as they are unfamiliar. Modern Logophilia is an embryonic endeavour to excavate, dust off and celebrate these quiescent nuggets.
Eunoia
Noun:
beautiful thinking; well-mindedness
Example:
She possessed a distinctive eunoia that rendered her seemingly immune to even the most disingenuous managerial horseshit.
Alacrity
Noun:
a brisk, cheerful readiness
Example:
"I told him that if, by some miracle, he should ever develop an equivalent alacrity towards foreplay as he has for football, to give me a ring."
Elysian
Adjective:
pertaining to, or characteristic of, heaven or paradise
Example:
"She tried to convince everyone they have some kind of Elysian home life, but last night I saw her sneak back into the kitchen to rearrange the dishwasher."
Zephyr
Noun:
a gentle breeze
Example:
A zephyr of style and sensuality permeated the courtyard as she passed, ensuring all eyes, both desiring and envious, were fixed on her as she stumbled upon the decorative lawn-edging and fell sideways into the pond.
Veracity
Noun:
conformity to the facts; accuracy; precision
Example:
"Chloe told me, innit."
"Chloe? Darling, it would do you well to question the veracity of everything that comes out of that girl's mouth."
"Totes."
Doggerel
Noun:
verse or words that are irregular or 'poorly written', often for comic effect
Example:
"Do you not think it all such doggerel?"
"Indeed. Delightful doggerel. Bad writing can be surprisingly effective, when done well."