7 words in English that appear in the media less than 3 times in 100 million

There are already more than a million unique words in the English language – these are the results that extensive literature analysis, which was jointly hosted by Harvard University and Google.

The lexicon of the language is increasing by an average of 8500 new words every year. Words are becoming obsolete and obsolete at the same rate. There are already tens of thousands of “dead words” in the English language, which remain only in dictionaries.

But most are still considered active – they are not used often, but they are alive. In this article, we will talk about the rarest words that are used in modern media and literature less than 3 cases per 100 million. That is, not more often than once in all US newspapers and magazines for the whole year. Go.

English in the media and media

The mass media are designed for the widest possible audience. Therefore, the set of words here is rather limited. After all, you need to write materials in such a way that they are understood by the largest number of readers.

The Voice of America (VOA) introduced the fashion for “common English in the media” back in 1959. The company broadcasted to all States and wanted to be understood even by the illiterate population with a poor vocabulary.

Special English, which VOA promoted, had about 1,500 core words. In reports and programs, the announcers mostly used them, avoiding idioms and more rare lexemes. And if it was impossible to avoid them, then they were sure to explain them in simple words.

With this simplified English, VOA was able to be understood by everyone. And several years after the launch, other television and radio companies began to adopt its experience.

As a result, up to 90% of the words that are used in the media today in print and online publications come from this dictionary.

Study Test Your Vocab analyzed the vocabulary of native speakers and people who learn English as a second. And as a byproduct, they found a number of tokens that are used less than 3 cases in 100,000,000.

You can look just for fun, or add them to your active dictionary in order to amaze your interlocutors with your erudition.

Captious – sophisticated, picky, tricky.

The word has two main meanings:

  • striving to find and reveal errors and shortcomings – “captious controller” (captious inspector);
  • who is trying to catch someone in an argument – “captious question” (tricky question).

The word has a slightly negative connotation. But sometimes it is used in the neutral sense of “sophisticated, very experienced, knowledgeable”:

Even the most captious visitor will be satisfied of the quality of the “Milestii Mici” collection wines.

Even the most sophisticated visitors will be pleased with the quality of the Milestii Mici collection.

The media mainly use the first negative meaning – picky. Here is an example from Harvard Business Review:

The best leaders avoid the problem of seeming captious about the work of subordinates.

Successful leaders avoid the problem of being too picky about the work of their subordinates.

In daily speech, it can be used in conjunction with “captious question” – a great synonym for the phrase “tricky question”.

Parlay – a bet, a bet (in gambling), skillful use of their small advantages.

Almost complete analogue of the word “bet”. This is the reason why it is rarely used. Middle English “abet” trite got accustomed better than French “paroli”.

Interestingly, the word has recently been used more actively – mainly on online betting sites. But the print media still prefer “place a bet”.

There is practically no difference between the words, so they are used interchangeably to avoid tautologies. let’s on the example of material ESPN:

Notable bets: A $ 3 million parlay, and a huge bet that nearly backfired.

Noteworthy bets: a 3 million bet and a huge bet that almost flops.

The word “parlay” was used in the title, because three times “bet” in one sentence is clearly overkill. That’s all.

The only case in which “parlay” will sound more natural is to “make a bet.” When two people shake hands, wage a bet – this is exactly “parlay”.

Sparge – sprinkle, irrigate, wash out the grain.

And no, there is no “asparagus” here. This is the so-called “false friend of the translator”. “Asparagus” in English translates as “asparagus”.

Sparge is one of the stages of brewing, which includes washing the spent grains (thick that remained after the wort is boiled). There is a lot of information on specialized resources on how to do it correctly.

As for the more trivial meaning – splashing, everything is more interesting here. Most often, “squirt” is encountered in this sense. Hussars, be silent!

In the media over the past few years, we have not been able to find this word in the meaning of “splashing” at all. All search results were taken by beer.

But if anything, “sparge sprinkle in the face” – this is “sparge”.

Cantle – back bow of the saddle, lobule, piece, fragment, segment, crown.

In equestrian sports, the word “cantle” is used quite commonly. But this is with regard to specialized vocabulary. In the media, the word is a rare guest.

The word cantle itself is used in Scotland to refer to the top of the national belt bag called sporran.

“Celtic Cantle Sporran” can be translated as “Sporran bag with a Celtic top.”

In modern editions, we could not find the word “cantle” at all besides articles on horse breeding. But be aware that it can be perfectly used in phrases like “cantle of land” – “part of the land.”

Regnant – widespread, predominant, ruling, reigning

In historical monographs and articles, the word occurs frequently.

Here’s an example article in History Today.

It is important not to confuse “regnant” and “regent”. Their translation is the same – “ruling”. But the whole point is in the details. “Regnant” is a fully-fledged ruling person, and “regent” is a temporary ruler until a too young monarch grows up.

The difference is revealed most strongly in the phrase “regnant queen”. Because simply “queen” is perceived as the king’s wife, who has almost no influence on government decisions. “Regent queen” is like the mother of the future ruler, who is in power temporarily. And the “regnant queen” is the reigning queen, in whose hands all the power of the monarchy.

In a regular dictionary, it works well as a synonym for “main”. It just sounds much more pretentious. See for yourself an example EPPC material:

– … a bracing challenge to the regnant media stereotypes about religious believers and their lives.

-… a powerful challenge to the main media stereotypes about believers and their lives.

It is directly felt that there is not just “main”, but even “all-embracing”. So for the expression of emotions – that’s it.

Briut – spread rumors.

And although it meant “fame” in Middle English, now its meaning is closer to “notoriety.” The difference from “rumors” is only in this nuance. Therefore, most do not bother and use a more familiar lexeme.

Now the word is used to make speech more “fashionable”. Because “bruit” also translates as “rumors,” gossip “from French.

Most often, “briut” is used by doctors. In medicine, the word means noise. Here is an example from specialized resource for physicians:

What does the presence of an abdominal bruit suggest in suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm?

What does the presence of vascular murmur under the abdomen mean when an abdominal aortic aneurysm is suspected?

Bibulous – drunk, absorbing moisture.

Collins Dictionary gives two meanings:

  • alcohol-related drinker;
  • with excellent absorbent properties.

The word is actively used in business: “bibulous paper” is “absorbent paper” or, literally, “absorbent paper”. In the literature, it is most often used synonymously with “drunk”.

Actually, that’s why it is rare. After all, why use a word that only erudites know, if there is a familiar and familiar to all “drunk”. And shades of “bibulous” meanings are often unnecessary.

Here is an example from articles in Washington Posts:

For the cocktail lover, this season of festivities can be full of temptation. Specifically, the temptation to gift your friends and family with the fruits of your bibulous labors: to tinsel up the place, invite friends and start mixing craft cocktails.

For the cocktail lover, the holiday season is full of delight. Especially, the pleasure to please family and friends with alcoholic delights: all that remains is to decorate your home, invite your friends and start making cocktails with your own hands.

There is a small nuance. “Bibulous” is more often used to suit the place, time and circumstances – “bibulous evening” (alcoholic evening), “bibulous place” (place to drink), “bibulous holiday” (alcoholic holiday).

It would be more appropriate to use “drunk” for drunk people.

***

The vocabulary of a person with an Advanced level, who teaches English as a second, is 5000-8000 words. This is enough to be able to communicate freely with native speakers. But when you go to a certain level, you want to diversify your speech a little, add individuality.

With these words, you will definitely be able to do it. So add them to your learning app – and good luck with your English.

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