Dictionary of Humorous Words: Vocabulary Building

Book excerpt: What are “Humorous Words”? What is Humor? [HUMOUR [(British English) | HUMOR (AMERICAN ENGLISH)] Humor is something that is funny, comical, or amusing Definition of ‘Humorous Words’ Words that are intended to be amusing, entertaining, funny, or comical are called humorous words. Examples: beak [noun] – large or pointed nose of somebody ego-surfing [noun] – the activity of searching your name on different websites on the Internet iron rations [noun] – a small amount of food carried for an emergency by soldiers, etc. while climbing or walking unhand [verb] – to release somebody that you are holding Besides “Humorous Words”, there are some Idioms and Phrasal Verbs which are used to express humor (amusement or funniness) Example- (idiom): a big cheese – a very important and influential person in a big organization Example- (phrasal verb): gird (up) your loins – to get ready to do a difficult task or activity NOTE: Many ‘Humorous Words’ are also used in ‘formal’, ‘informal’ or other sense Example: BEAST beast [noun] [Humorous] – a person or thing who is unpleasant beast [noun] [Informal] – a thing of a particular type beast [noun] [Formal] – a large and dangerous animal A detailed list of ‘humorous words’, parts of speech they belong to, and their meanings are as follows: Humorous Words -- A abaya [noun] a full-length, sleeveless outer garment worn by Arabs abdicate [verb] to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach abibliophobia [noun] the fear of running out of reading material abomasums [noun] the fourth stomach of a ruminant, such as a cow or a sheep absquatulate [verb] to abruptly leave or abscond with something academe [noun] the world of studying, teaching, etc. at academic institutions e.g. universities and colleges accoutrements (accouterments) [noun] pieces of equipment that are required for an activity; accessories acerbate [verb] to embitter somebody acidulous [adjective] rather sour or sharp in speech, manner, etc. adjourn to… [phrasal verb] to go to another place to calm down of advanced years | sb's advanced age [idiom] used to show that somebody is ‘very old’ or aged agelast [noun] one who never laughs aglet [noun] the plastic tip on the end of a shoelace alack [exclamation] used to express sadness or regret allegator [noun] someone who alleges allergic [adjective] strong dislike towards somebody amatory [adjective] relating to physical activity or desire amphibology [noun] grammatically ambiguous phrase or sentence (e.g.: he talked to his son and his daughter) amphisbaena [noun] a mythical serpent with a head at each end anencephalous [adjective] lacking a brain anfractuous [adjective] circuitous or winding anguilliform [adjective] resembling an eel anserine [adjective] goose-like | silly or foolish antediluvian [adjective] traditional or out-of-date anthropophagy [noun] cannibalism apolaustic [adjective] devoted to the seeking of enjoyment apple-knocker [noun] an ignorant or unsophisticated person appurtenance [noun] a smaller part of something larger, superior or more significant archipelago [noun] a chain of islands argle-bargle [noun] meaningless and abundant talk or writing