griph: puzzle or brainteaser

Griph's last recorded use was sometime in the 1700s, so this one definitely comes from the "Forgotten" file. But it's a cool-sounding word, and I dig it.

I don't actually have a Forgotten file, for what it's worth. Perhaps you're curious where I find my words, and how I save and process and decide on which ones to draw?

Perhaps I'll share that entire process with you sometime. It's more involved than you think. For now, let's just say that I keep a database of unusual, unused, lost, and yes forgotten words, and at present count, it's closing in on 1,000 entries. Of those, I whittle down the ones I can think of a way to draw, and the ones that interest me most.

Where do I find all of these words?

Here and there and everywhere! I have a stack of books that keeps getting taller--none of which I've gotten all the way through yet. I have a collection of bookmarks to various websites I visit daily. I have a number of "word of the day" apps that I use every day. And anytime I see one that piques my interest, I save it.

I found Griph in a delightful book called The Cabinet of Linguistic Curiosities, by Paul Anthony Jones. It provides one new word to learn for every day of the year. If you're into this sort of thing, I highly recommend it, as I've found many words within its pages that I've never seen anywhere else. It's also very well written with lots of fascinating etymologies.

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