omphaloskepsis

(ahm-fuh-low-SKEP-sis)

Navel-gazing, presumably to help contemplation.

This word has been around since at least the 1920s. It comes from the Greek word for "navel," omphalos, (a linguistic cousin of the more familiar-looking Latin word, umbilicus). The skepsis in this word comes from the Greek "examination," which also led to our term for someone who tends to examine closely, skeptic.

"Ah, what I wouldn't give for a week at a spa -- all those daily massages, citrus-scented facials, low-fat gourmet meals, paraffin pedicures, and plenty of good, old-fashioned omphaloskepsis."

 

oneiric

(oh-NYE-rik)

Pertaining to or suggesting dreams.

The Greek word for dream, oneiros, gives us this poetic word.

"The green light deepened, drowning the island of Malta and the island of Fausto and Elena hopelessly deeper in its oneiric chill." - Thomas Pynchon

 

onychophagist

(ahn-ih-KOFF-uh-jist)

A nail-biter.

It's from Greek onux, which means "fingernail," and phagos which means "eating."

(Interestingly, the Greek word for "nail" also gave us the word onyx, because some varieties of this stone--the kind often used for carving cameos--resemble the pink and white of a human fingernail.)

"Whenever the subject of life's little ironies came up, Marvin invariably brightened and seized the chance to point out that the very best manicurist in his hometown was onychophagist."

 

opsimath

(AHP-sih-math)

One who begins to learn late in life.

Opsimathy, which means "learning acquired late in life," entered the English language sometime in the 17th century. Both opsimathy and opsimath derive from Greek opsimathein, meaning "to learn late."

Historically, however, these words most often were used in a derogatory sense -- a sort of snooty put-down suggesting that the opsimath had been lazy or uninterested in learning until only recently. Perhaps it's time to reclaim these words and instead use them to celebrate anyone determined to continue learning right on into his or her golden years.

"'You're never too old to be an opsimath,' he said optimistically."

 

orotund

(OR-uh-tuhnd)

1. Sonorous; marked by fullness, strength and clarity of sound.

2. Pompous; bombastic.

Orotund conjures a vivid picture: it's from Latin ore rotundo, which means "with well-tuned speech" -- but literally this phrase means, "with a round mouth."

Generally, when applied to the quality of someone's voice, orotund is a compliment. But when applied to someone's speaking style, it's often used contemptously.

"A call in the midst of the crowd, my own voice, orotund, sweeping and final." --Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

 

 

oxter

(OX-turr)

An armpit.

Oxter comes from Old English ocusta, meaning "armpit," and is thought to be a linguistic relative of such words as axis and axle.

"She certainly caused a stir the Oscars by flashing those unkempt oxters, but whether this will be a bona fide fashion trend remains to be seen."

 

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