This article represents the latest installment in a series dedicated to exploring new vocabulary and phrases gathered from deep dives into the vast realms of literature and media, meant for your reflection and enjoyment. The pursuit of these words taps into an endless source of my own ignorance; if only this treasure trove held more significance.

Typo-squatting refers to a form of cybercrime that preys on individuals who often misspell web addresses:

> “They’re hoping that a person will make a mistake, and that they can lure you in and do stupid things,”

so says a commentator who appears to know me quite well.

This term was unearthed in a rather amusing yet alarming article that disclosed how, for years, countless confidential emails were mistakenly sent to Mali, a Russian ally. The emails were meant for the US military, which uses the .mil domain, while Mali's domain ends in .ml. Oops!

Twibel is a slang term used in legal contexts to describe defamation on Twitter, recently highlighted on BBC Radio 4 in relation to a current scandal involving a television presenter.

ISVA stands for Independent Sexual Violence Advisor. This acronym was mentioned in a BBC Radio 4 program. The number of acronyms in various specialized fields seems almost limitless, making it feel futile to try to learn them all; yet, their inclusion in articles without explanation can convey an impression of expertise that has eluded me for some time.

Moral injury was another term encountered on BBC Radio 4, describing the emotional turmoil experienced when healthcare providers are unable to deliver the level of care they aspire to. In this context, it particularly refers to the plight of overburdened General Practitioners (GPs) in the UK, who often find themselves apologizing to patients. Although I'm skeptical that GPs still exist outside of holograms, given how long it has been since I last visited one.

More broadly, moral injury signifies harm to a person's ethical conscience and values, stemming from perceived moral transgressions by themselves or others. It can lead to intense feelings of guilt or shame, confusion about moral values, and a sense of alienation from society. Currently, there appears to be a significant amount of moral injury present in the UK.

Telomere describes a protective structure at the end of a chromosome and was mentioned in an article regarding vaccines in The Guardian.

Nappuccino is an intriguing term I discovered in a Guardian piece about staying alert during late-night sports broadcasts across different time zones. This portmanteau word blends "nap" and "cappuccino," suggesting a strategy where one takes a short 20-minute nap after consuming coffee, as it purportedly takes that long for the caffeine to kick in. Personally, I harbor doubts about the efficacy of this method, so I recommend conducting your own research and absolving me of any responsibility for negative consequences you might encounter.

Selkie is a term I stumbled upon on a gift card, referring to a mythical being from Norse and Celtic folklore that appears as a seal in water but takes human form on land.

Didicoy is a term I found in a tribute to the late, great Ian Dury, a quintessential Cockney figure. He blended rhyming slang, Polari, and Didicoy language, which designates a group thought to live a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle within certain Romani communities, often regarded as a distinct subgroup within the broader Romani culture.

If you’ve missed out on “Ian Dury and the Blockheads,” they were a fantastic band known for their prominence during the punk/new wave era of the 1980s. Dury was a unique talent, a brilliant lyricist, and a champion for individuals with disabilities, having overcome polio in his childhood. Their hits include “Sex and Drugs and Rock ‘n Roll,” “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick,” “Reasons to be Cheerful,” and “What a Waste.” Like a true rock star, Ian lived life to the fullest and sadly passed away too young.

For a taste of their music –

Pusillanimous is an adjective I was familiar with but needed to revisit; it describes someone lacking in courage or determination—essentially, timid.

Otiose is another word I had to look up again; it means serving no practical purpose or result, often associated with idleness. A certain former politician springs to mind when I think of this definition, but I’ve mentioned him too many times already and prefer not to face legal repercussions from one of his numerous offspring.

Torc refers to a twisted metal neck ornament worn by ancient Gauls and Britons. This term appeared in a BBC article discussing a recent discovery made by a metal detector enthusiast—

Bronze Age gold torc discovered in field near Mistley

The discovery of a 3,000-year-old gold torc is the first reported treasure find in Essex, according to an expert.

Crawdad denotes a freshwater crayfish and was mentioned in the title of a book and film called "Where the Crawdads Sing," which, like many cultural phenomena, I missed entirely.

Homonym was introduced to me through a comment by James Bellerjeau—it's always rewarding to discover new words from friends on Medium. In linguistic terms, homonyms are words that are either homographs (words with the same spelling but different meanings) or homophones (words that sound alike but differ in spelling), or both. For example, "row" (to propel with oars), "row" (a linear arrangement), and "row" (a quarrel) are homographs; meanwhile, "see" (to perceive visually) and "sea" (a body of water) are homophones. If you’re still grappling with these concepts, you’re certainly not alone.

Sarafan refers to a traditional long, trapezoidal jumper dress worn by girls and women in Russian folk culture. I heard this term on a BBC program discussing the enigmatic cryptoqueen Ruja Ignatova—a fascinating tale if you haven't encountered it—

Ruja Ignatova - Wikipedia

The following words are drawn from the substantial work Vietnam — An Epic History of a Tragic War by Max Hastings, which I will be reading for the rest of the year, after which it may serve as a sturdy doorstop. It humorously answers the old question posed by the band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “War, what is it good for?”—it makes an excellent doorstop.

Mudge sounds like a fabricated term—a portmanteau, perhaps—but it actually refers to mud or sludge.

> “...mandating an electrician to address a serious gas leak”

struck me as a clever phrase, akin to the more common expression about bringing a knife to a gunfight.

Soliloquy refers to a monologue spoken to oneself, thoughts articulated aloud without addressing another. A recent example is an emergency plumber we had to call, who conversed with himself while dismantling our bathroom—somewhat unsettling, both the dialogue and the bathroom issue. While I described it as a plumbing job, it felt more like daylight robbery when we saw the bill.

Montagnard denotes various hill-dwelling ethnic groups in Southeast Asia, particularly those from the highlands of Vietnam. This term is a remnant of the French colonial era.

Galvanic pertains to or involves electric currents generated by chemical action; it also describes something sudden and dramatic.

Bleacher refers to something that bleaches or, in the context of a book, a cheap bench seat found at an outdoor sports venue.

> “gall and wormwood”

is an expression I had not encountered before, yet it appears to be common in American English, signifying a deep bitterness or resentment. To contextualize it within a UK scenario, one might say that the unmet promises of Brexit led many to experience feelings of gall and wormwood. But at least we’ve regained our blue passports.

I hope you found this latest collection enjoyable, and please feel free to share any of your own favorite new words in the comments.

As always, thank you for reading.

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