Dobby Borders, Jaggery, And Double Bagels
The Word Collector – Part 119
The latest etymological extravaganza - This is the latest in a series about new words and phrases, specimens collected during expeditions into the deepest, darkest literary and media wilderness, and displayed for your entertainment, elucidation, and enlightenment. These are new to me, but of course, you may know some or all of them already, in which case you are welcome to marvel at my ignorance, an inexhaustible seam of material to be mined. As a challenge, see how many you already know, and if you know them all, have an imaginary Boost!
As well as new words, I also love to collect good phrases I come across, including the following from a restaurant review by Diane Morgan in the Observer:
“It was too quiet….It had the feel of the restaurant at Dignitas”
This was followed by the description of a drink which:
“ — looked very much like the dehydrated urine of a cab-driver after a 14-hour shift.”
Garamond- a revival of Claude Garamont's humanist typefaces from the 16th century. (His name was generally spelt as Garamont in his lifetime.) Garamond-style typefaces are popular to this day, and are often used for book printing and body text. I heard the font referred to on “The Daily Whatever”, a GenXy livestream podcast on Substack.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garamond
fender – a low frame bordering a fireplace to prevent burning coals from falling out; a plastic cylinder, tyre, piece of old rope or matting, hung over a ship's side to protect it against impact; the mudguard or area around the wheel well of a vehicle. I was visiting Weymouth recently and saw objects being put over the side of a boat to protect it when in contact with the dockside, and had to remind myself what they are called.
feathering - In fishing, feathering refers to a technique primarily used in sea fishing, particularly for mackerel and other schooling fish. Feathering involves using a set of lures called feathers — typically a string of small, flashy hooks dressed with feathers, tinsel, or other synthetic material — designed to imitate small baitfish. I saw the word on a sign on Weymouth pier.
money dysmorphia – a psychological distortion in how someone perceives their financial situation, similar in concept to body dysmorphia but focused on money. It’s not a clinical diagnosis, but it's gaining attention among mental health and financial professionals. I saw the term in an article by Eve Arnold in “The Observer”.
trash fishing –the practice of removing trash and debris from bodies of water, often using fishing gear like rods, nets, or even magnets — not to catch fish, but to clean up the environment. However, I saw this phrase used unkindly, in an article in “The Observer” about how Russia is recruiting petty criminals to carry out acts of sabotage:
indolent - wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy; of a disease or condition) causing little or no pain; especially of an ulcer, slow to develop, progress, or heal; persistent. I had seen the word used to mean lazy but had not known it is also used to describe an illness.
“a loveliness” – the collective noun for a group of ladybirds. Mrs. Pearce saw the word in an article about recent swarms of the insects.
gongo – an acronym for a government-organised non-governmental organisation. I saw this in an article in “The Observer”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government-organized_non-governmental_organization
groyper – the following explanation is from Wikipedia:
“Groypers, sometimes called the Groyper Army, are a group of alt-right and white nationalist activists led by Nick Fuentes. Members of the group have attempted to introduce alt-right politics into mainstream conservatism in the United States and participated in the January 6 United States Capitol attack and the protests leading up to it. They have targeted other conservative groups and individuals whose agendas they view as too moderate and insufficiently nationalist. The Groyper movement has been described as white nationalist, homophobic, nativist, fascist, sexist, antisemitic, and an attempt to rebrand the declining alt-right movement.”
I saw the term in an article in “The Observer”.
bump – a slang expression for a small amount of a drug, usually inhaled or snorted – the expression is used in this rather sad article about ketamine addiction among young people:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70r1xdyy59o
“The Feynman Technique” – a method of learning by teaching. I saw the expression in an article about simple explanations. There is a detailed explanation in this Wikipedia entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_by_teaching
jaggery -a coarse dark brown sugar made in India by evaporation of the sap of palm trees. The following is from Wikipedia:
“Jaggery is a traditional non-centrifugal cane sugar consumed in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, North America, Central America, Brazil and Africa. It is a concentrated product of cane juice and often date or palm sap without separation of the molasses and crystals, and can vary from golden brown to dark brown in colour. It contains up to 50% sucrose, up to 20% invert sugars, and up to 20% moisture, with the remainder made up of other insoluble matter, such as wood ash, proteins, and bagasse fibres. Jaggery is very similar to muscovado, an important sweetener in Portuguese, British and French cuisine.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaggery
The word is used in this article by Sruthy Tresa Antony:
https://medium.com/hope-healing-and-humour/confessions-of-a-faith-fueled-foodie-9baef97e80d3
The word is also used in this article, in which Ayushi Verma shares a tradition:
https://medium.com/introvert-diary/every-day-the-first-chapati-disappears-heres-why-18972ea7615c
buck moon - also known as a thunder moon, this is a full moon in July when male deer grow their antlers. It symbolises fertility, abundance, and new beginnings.
celebrocracy – this informal neologism was used during a programme reflecting on 40 years since the original Live Aid concert, to refer to the collection of celebrities who took part.
strigil – an instrument with a curved blade used, especially by ancient Greeks and Romans, to scrape sweat and dirt from the skin in a hot-air bath or after exercise; a scraper. Also a comb-like structure on the forelegs of some insects, used chiefly for grooming. It is the first of these meanings for which I came across this word in an article by Carol Finch, which may not suit those with a delicate stomach:
https://medium.com/@carol.finch1/one-minute-facts-gladiator-sweat-0801198a1825
“dobby borders” – a flat strip in some towels which plays a role in ensuring the longevity, durability, and functionality. I saw the term on Facebook.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobby_(cloth)
kill shelter – an animal shelter that may euthanise dogs and other animals, if they are not adopted within a certain time frame. This can happen due to overcrowding, limited resources, or if the animal is deemed unadoptable because of illness or behaviour. Unlike no-kill shelters, which commit to keeping animals alive unless they are suffering or dangerous, kill shelters often face tough decisions because they take in all animals, including strays and surrenders, without turning them away.
The term "kill shelter" is emotionally charged and controversial, but it highlights the challenges many shelters face in balancing care with capacity. I saw the term used in “The Observer” newspaper, in an article about Will Young, who is a dog lover.
Gaman – a Japanese word for enduring without complaint, or to carry dignity even in discomfort. The following is the Wikipedia explanation:
“Gaman (我慢) is a Japanese term of Zen Buddhist origin which means "enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity". The term is generally translated as "perseverance", "patience", or "tolerance". A related term, gamanzuyoi (我慢強い, gaman-tsuyoi), a compound with tsuyoi (strong), means "suffering the unbearable" or having a high capacity for a kind of stoic endurance.
Gaman is variously described as a "virtue", an "ethos", a "trait", etc. It means to do one's best in distressed times and to maintain self-control and discipline.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaman_(term)
double bagel - the name given to a victory in tennis without dropping a game. The bagel is chosen as its shape represents a zero.
bailwick - the office or jurisdiction of a bailiff; the sphere in which one has superior knowledge or authority: a special domain. The word is used in the book “The Woman in Cabin 10” by Ruth Ware, which is a fun, easy read from the murder mystery genre, but not a keeper.
“ITA reading” a way of measuring how much radioactive iodine is taken up by the thyroid gland. Doctors use it to see how well the thyroid is working. For the test, a person swallows a small amount of radioactive iodine, and then a special machine measures how much of it the thyroid absorbs. This helps doctors find out if the thyroid is overactive, underactive, or if there are lumps or other problems. The test is safe, and the amount of radiation used is very small. The word was used in the same book.
The next two words appear in this article about how animals keep cool in hot weather:
“gular fluttering” - a physiological response in birds to heat stress, where they rapidly vibrate their throat muscles to cool down. This action increases blood flow and moves air across moist membranes in the mouth and throat, resulting in evaporative cooling.
sploot - a spread-legged, prone posture typically performed by four-legged mammals such as dogs and squirrels when they wish to relax.
“Potemkin Defence” - a term used to describe a situation where something is made to look stronger, more successful, or more secure than it really is, often to fool outsiders. The phrase comes from a story about Russian official Grigory Potemkin, who supposedly built fake villages to impress Empress Catherine the Great during a visit, hiding the real poverty. In modern times, the term is used in politics, business, or law to describe actions or setups that are just for show, without real substance behind them. It’s a way of creating a false appearance of strength or progress to avoid criticism or scrutiny. I saw the expression in this article:
https://observer.co.uk/tags/defence
“heterochromia” - a person with differently coloured eyes or eyes that are more than one colour has heterochromia. The term is used in this article by Roz Warren:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-167582065
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterochromia_iridum
After reading the article, I thought of the late singer David Bowie, who famously appeared to have eyes of different colour, but there was a different explanation and word to explain: anisocoria, which means unequal pupil sizes. He acquired the condition after a fight in his teenage years, which damaged his eye.
apricity - the warmth of the sun in winter – I saw the word in a poem.
“A d to c business” – this term means a way in which a business sells direct to customer, and I saw it used in this discussion about the story behind how “Wild” natural refillable and plastic-free deodorant became a global brand that was recently sold to Unilever:
trypanophobia - the technical word for a fear of needles. I saw the word in this article by Adrienne Beaumont:
https://medium.com/the-challenged/im-not-an-organ-donor-a4c62aa04482
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_needles
anglercore -a niche aesthetic and lifestyle trend inspired by fishing culture, especially the look and feel of recreational or sport fishing gear. It blends practical outdoor wear — like fishing vests, bucket hats, waders, and polarised sunglasses — with a fashion-forward or nostalgic twist. Popular on social media, anglercore isn’t just about actual fishing; it’s about embracing the laid-back, outdoorsy vibe and rugged style associated with it, often as a form of self-expression or irony. I saw the word in this article:
"madeline moment" - this refers to a sensory experience, such as a taste or smell, that triggers a vivid and involuntary memory of the past. This concept is derived from Marcel Proust's novel "In Search of Lost Time," where the taste of a madeleine cake dipped in tea evoked a flood of childhood memories for the narrator. I saw the expression in a comment on Medium.
Kismet – fate or destiny. The word comes from the Arabic word ḳismat, meaning “division, portion, lot.” I heard the word in a TV programme.
zone of proximal development (or ZPD) - the range of things a person can’t do on their own yet, but can do with a little help from someone more experienced, like a teacher, parent, or coach. It’s the “sweet spot” for learning, where a task is challenging but still possible with guidance. Over time, as the person learns and practices, they’re able to do it on their own. This idea helps teachers and educators know when and how to step in with support to help someone grow. The term is used in the following article by Wrangler: @mike.besso
https://medium.com/@mike.besso/we-surf-therefore-we-are-362eb935e931
From Elvis Costello’s “Unfaithful Music”:
“….there are people in Liverpool who can insert five “fucks” into a three syllable word if they’ve got a point to make”.
I thought this a funny and very true phrase, though it doesn’t only apply to Liverpool, but seemingly to many of the building trades!
droog- an informal noun for a young man belonging to a street gang.
dirigible – as an adjective, this means capable of being steered, guided, or directed. As a noun it means an airship.
Doubly labelled water (DLW) - a specialised scientific method used to accurately measure energy expenditure in humans and animals, particularly in real-world, non-laboratory settings. It involves drinking water in which both the hydrogen and oxygen atoms have been replaced with stable, non-radioactive isotopes — deuterium (²H) and oxygen-18 (¹⁸O), respectively. After ingestion, researchers track how these isotopes are eliminated from the body over time through urine, saliva, or breath samples.
Deuterium is lost only through water (such as via sweat, urine, and respiration), while oxygen-18 is lost in both water and carbon dioxide. By comparing the elimination rates of the two isotopes, scientists can determine how much carbon dioxide the body produces, which directly indicates the amount of energy (calories) being burned. This method is highly accurate, non-invasive, and particularly useful for studying metabolism and calorie expenditure in everyday settings. It is widely employed in research on nutrition, obesity, athletic performance, and overall metabolic health.
I saw the term in this fascinating article about testing the underlying reasons for obesity, on a study, which suggests the role of exercise has been exaggerated, and the role of dietary choices not given sufficient emphasis:
The following are from Ral Joseph’s memoir “Legacy Of Loss”:
https://raljoseph.gumroad.com/l/erxcvh
Tinko tinko –a traditional African children’s game, often played in various countries in West Africa, such as Nigeria. While the exact rules and style can vary by region or even by neighbourhood, it’s generally a rhythmic clapping or singing game, similar to hand-clapping games found in many cultures.
to cabash- an informal verb in West African English meaning to collapse suddenly or be overwhelmed.
P.O.P ceiling -refers to a ceiling made from Plaster of Paris (P.O.P.), which is a quick-setting material used to create decorative and smooth ceiling designs. It’s popular in interior design, especially in homes, offices, and hotels.
Naira – the main currency of Nigeria.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_naira
udara – a type of tree which is often community-owned.
gmelina – a type of shrub native to Australasia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gmelina
“tortoise tale” - a rich part of African oral storytelling traditions, where the tortoise is often featured as a clever, tricky, or wise character. These tales are found in many African cultures—particularly among the Yoruba, Akan, Igbo, and other West African peoples—and are passed down through generations by griots (storytellers), elders, and families.
Emma – as a boy’s name (in the UK it is exclusively a girl’s name) - In many parts of Africa, especially in West Africa, “Emma” is indeed used as a boy’s name—but it's typically a nickname or shortened form of Emmanuel, a common male name.
“….a place that everyone who’d lived there regretted it.” – I loved Ral’s use of this phrase to describe some places which we may all be familiar with!
Apók-pók – an African game:
“The game, Apók-pók, was a classic among the girls. It involved drawing six rectangular boxes, each sharing a boundary. The challenge was simple yet demanding: players had to balance a small stone on the back of their palm and hop through the boxes on one leg. If the stone fell, they had to start over.”
garri - the flour of the fresh starchy cassava root
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garri
buba - a woman's blouse worn in West African countries.
agang soup - a traditional Nigerian dish, especially popular among the Tiv people of Benue State in central Nigeria. It is a rich, flavourful soup made using beef or assorted meat, and often includes local vegetables and seasonings. What makes Agang soup unique is its use of groundnut (peanut) paste or melon seeds (egusi), which gives it a thick, nutty texture and distinctive taste. The soup is commonly served with staples like pounded yam, fufu, or semovita.
uncle – I was already aware how the terms auntie and uncle are used differently in Africa to the UK. Ral uses the term uncle quite a bit early in the book. I did some research and found the following.
As a wider kinship term, "Uncle" can refer to any older male relative—even if not directly related; your father's or mother's male cousins; older male family friends or neighbours. It's part of the African idea of extended family, where bloodlines and community ties overlap.
"Uncle" is often used as a mark of respect for any older man, especially by children or younger adults. It can replace terms like “Sir” or “Mister” in informal settings.
Adults are expected to play guiding roles in the lives of all children in the community, not just their own, and the use of the word uncle in its broader sense reflects the philosophy that:
"It takes a village to raise a child."
I hope you enjoyed this collection, and do share any favourites of your own in the comments.
Previous articles from The Word Collector:
https://medium.com/@johnpearce650/the-word-collector-previous-collections-2a7981e0b532
The whole collection is now available for just £2.99 in a 146-page e-book:
https://medium.com/@johnpearce650/the-word-collector-the-book-b13ba45f6863
I expect you know that droog comes from A Clockwork Orange, where Anthony Burgess
made up a language based on Russian. The Russian for friend sounds like droog…