Have you ever looked at something ordinary and thought, “That must have a name…”—but had no clue what it might be? You’re not alone! Language is full of fascinating and sometimes funny terms for the little things we interact with every day.
In this post, we’ve compiled 20 mind-blowing facts about everyday objects and experiences that actually do have names. Some of these might just blow your mind!
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1. Glabella
That smooth patch of skin between your eyebrows? Yep, it’s got a name. It’s called the glabella.
2. Petrichor
That fresh, earthy smell that follows rain is called petrichor. It’s one of nature’s best scents, now with a name to match.
3. Aglet
The tiny plastic or metal tips at the end of your shoelaces are known as aglets. Small, but important!
4. Wamble
You know that growling noise your stomach makes when you’re hungry? That’s called a wamble.
5. Vagitus
The official term for a newborn baby’s first cry is vagitus. Sounds scientific, doesn’t it?
6. Tines
Each individual prong on a fork is called a tine. So, your fork technically has four tines!
7. Phosphenes
Ever see sparkles or shapes when you rub your eyes? Those lights are called phosphenes.
8. Box Tent
That mini plastic tripod in the middle of your pizza box? It’s not just for show. It’s called a box tent, and it keeps the cheese from sticking to the lid.
9. Overmorrow
Need a fancy word for “the day after tomorrow”? Use overmorrow—it’s real!
10. Minimus
Your tiniest finger or toe is technically referred to as a minimus.
11. Agraffe
That wire cage keeping the cork in a champagne bottle from popping prematurely is called an agraffe.
12. Vocables
“Na na na” or “la la la” in your favorite song? Those wordless bits are known as vocables.
13. Interrobang
When you combine an exclamation mark and a question mark (like this ?!), it’s called an interrobang.
14. Columella Nasi
That little bit of tissue between your nostrils? It’s officially known as the columella nasi.
15. Armscye
In sewing, the hole in a garment where the sleeve is attached is called an armscye.
16. Dysania
Ever find it nearly impossible to get out of bed in the morning? That’s a real condition called dysania.
17. Griffonage
When someone’s handwriting is barely legible or scribbled quickly, it’s known as griffonage.
18. Tittle
The little dot over the letters “i” and “j” is called a tittle. (Yes, that’s the official term!)
19. Crapulence
That sick, sluggish feeling after eating or drinking too much? It’s called crapulence. (Too relatable!)
20. Bannock Device
That metal contraption used to measure your feet at shoe stores is called a Bannock device.
Final Thoughts
Pretty fascinating, right? These words may not come up in everyday conversation, but they’re fun to know—and even more fun to share. Impress your friends, spice up your trivia night, or just enjoy the fact that even the tiniest things in life have names. How many of these did you already know?
