Picking just two words that aren’t used as much as I would like is just like *insert witty comparison here*. It’s absurd. I will just say that there are many, but as these two were recent words-of-the -day, I shall mention them.
1) guttersnipe \GUTT-er-snype\ noun
1 : a homeless vagabond and especially an outcast boy or girl in the streets of a city
*2 : a person of the lowest moral or economic station
Obviously I prefer the second definition. Any time you’re inclined to shake your fist and call someone a rogue, blackguard, neʼer-do-well, or malefactor, PLEASE use guttersnipe. One of the first people to use the word in writing was Mark Twain, by the way, and he’s quite the funny fellow. The word guttersnipe, in my opinion, has a sharp edge to it, and would be perfect to say through gritted teeth, “youuuu guttersnipe”. Amazing.
2) hootenanny \ˈhü-tə-ˌna-nē\ noun
1 chiefly dialect : gadget
2 : a gathering at which folksingers entertain often with the audience joining in
The usage I most prefer is from Wikipedia – “an Appalachian colloquialism that was used in early twentieth century America to refer to things whose names were forgotten or unknown. In this usage it was synonymous with thingamajig or whatchamacallit, as in “hand me that hootenanny.” Hootenanny was also an old country word for “party”. Now, most commonly, it refers to a folk-music party.”
If ever there was a dry word, it’s party. It has such a humdrum vibe to it. I should clarify my last comment. If you refer to your level of education as __th grade, the word party is a hoot! Cake, presents, yay! If you doubt me, do you whoop exuberantly when someone mentions a political party? Maybe if it’s the Tea Party. Exceptions to the party-is-boring rule would include bachelor, and perhaps, farewell, depending on the person or persons departing, of course.
Avi's Cogitations 