As a gift to our fellow word nerds, we’ve compiled some amazing and little-known festive English words.
Yuleshard
A yuleshard is someone who leaves all their festive preparations until Christmas Eve.
In a sentence: Oh dear, I’d better get wrapping - I’m a real yuleshard this year.
Bellycheer
Familiar to many on Christmas Day, ‘bellycheer’ originated in the 16th century. It describes the gluttonous consumption of fine food. And surely the best part of Christmas is the roast potatoes.
In a sentence: I’m pleasantly sleepy with bellycheer after that amazing lunch.
Lucky Bird
A Lucky Bird is the first to enter your house on the morning of New Year’s Day.
In a sentence: Happy New Year, Lucky Bird! Where’s everyone else?
Crawmassing
A personal favourite for its discouragement of waste! To crawmass is to pick through festive leftovers. No sprout left behind…
In a sentence: Let’s do some crawmassing on Boxing Day by making bubble and squeak.
Scurryfunge
Many of us are guilty of scurryfunging - hastily tidying up when guests are unexpectedly early.
In a sentence: Keep that Lucky Bird at the door busy whilst I scurryfunge the living room; there’s still wrapping paper everywhere!
Snow-broth
Finally, as the snow melts away with all the Winter festivities, we welcome the Spring sun. The term ‘snow-broth’ goes all the way back to the 16th century - it was used in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. It refers to the slush left behind after snow.
In a sentence: I wouldn’t recommend making a snow angel out there. It’s just snow-broth now.
Do you use any festive words other people don’t know about? Let us know in the comments. Happy Holidays from everyone at Readable HQ!
