Every January, as the chill of winter lingers in Detroit, a small but passionate group at Wayne State University stirs up a linguistic warmth that’s hard to find elsewhere. On January 12, 2026, Wayne State University’s Word Warriors published their 17th annual list of rarely used words, hoping to coax them back into everyday conversation and writing. This tradition, now nearly two decades strong, has become a beacon for language lovers across the globe, inviting them into a vibrant coterie of enthusiasts who believe that words—no matter how dusty—still have a place in modern life.
According to Chris Williams, associate director of copy and editorial for Wayne State University Communications and Marketing and head Word Warrior, the annual list is more than a quirky exercise. “They aren’t museum pieces. They’re practical, playful and precise, and they add richness and depth to our conversations and writing,” Williams told WDET. It’s a sentiment that resonates with linguists and laypeople alike, as the Word Warriors’ project stands in friendly contrast to Lake Superior State University’s annual “banished words” list, which seeks to retire overused or misused terms. Where one group draws a line, the other opens a door.
This year’s Word Warriors list is a delightful mix of the whimsical and the wise, featuring ten words that, while perhaps unfamiliar to most, are accompanied by clear definitions and example sentences to ease their reentry into the lexicon. The 2026 selections are: Abnegate, Abscond, Coterie, Fluckadrift, Gudgeon, Inchoate, Psithurism, Quanked, Snoutfair, and Swullocking.
Let’s take a closer look at these words, as provided by Wayne State University’s Word Warriors:
Abnegate – To renounce or reject (something desired or valuable). For example: “He abnegated the family inheritance to make a name for himself on his own.”
Abscond – To leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest for an unlawful action such as theft. As in: “The burglar absconded with the money before anyone noticed he’d entered the house.”
Coterie – A small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that is exclusive of other people. “He retreated to an online chat room, where he could be surrounded by a coterie of fellow enthusiasts.”
Fluckadrift – Excessive speed or urgency of movement or action. “The kids spent most of the summer day rotting around the house but moved with a frantic fluckadrift to straighten things up once they knew Mom was on her way home from the office.”
Gudgeon – A person who is easily fooled; a gullible person. “The gudgeon believed almost everything he was told, no matter how improbable.”
Inchoate – Something just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary. “The inchoate organization was a mess of squabbling and confusion as the members learned how to work with each other.”
Psithurism – A rustling or whispering sound, such as leaves in the wind; susurration. “He left his earbuds at home and took a long walk in the woods, the blathering of podcasts replaced by the soothing soundtrack provided by the psithurism in the trees.”
Quanked – Overpowered by fatigue; exhausted or having one’s energy consumed. “After spending all of his Thanksgiving weekend managing the demands of customers, he was positively quanked and slept for 12 hours.”
Snoutfair – Having an attractive or pleasing face. “His character might leave much to be desired, but his snoutfair appearance made him a hit on TV.”
Swullocking – Overwhelmingly hot, boiling and humid weather. “He stepped outside, bracing himself for the swullocking August day.”
It’s not just about dusting off old dictionaries, either. Williams, who works in Wayne State’s Communications and Marketing Department, emphasized the global reach of the Word Warriors project. “I’ve received submissions from as far as Australia,” he said. “We have Word Warriors everywhere.” The process is democratic and inclusive—anyone with access to the group’s website can suggest a word for consideration. “Anyone who has access to our website can submit a word,” Williams explained. “Every Monday, we post a new word.”
This open-door policy has helped the Word Warriors build a diverse, worldwide following. Each year, nominations pour in from language lovers, writers, teachers, and even curious students, all eager to see their favorite forgotten word bask in the spotlight for a moment. The result is a list that reflects not just the quirks of English, but the passions of its speakers, wherever they might be.
What sets the Word Warriors list apart from other language projects is its spirit of celebration rather than condemnation. While some lists focus on policing language—banning words that have become annoying or overused—Wayne State’s initiative is about expanding possibilities. Williams put it best: “We don’t want to deny people to use words.” Instead, the goal is to remind us all that language is a living thing, capable of growth, surprise, and even a little mischief.
For those who might feel intimidated by words like “inchoate” or “psithurism,” the Word Warriors offer encouragement. These words aren’t meant to be barriers, but bridges—ways to add nuance, color, and even playfulness to everyday speech. As Williams noted, “They add richness and depth to our conversations and writing.” In a world where communication often gets boiled down to tweets and texts, there’s something refreshing about a project that urges us to reach for more expressive tools.
Of course, the annual list is also a conversation starter. Who wouldn’t want to impress their friends by describing a muggy summer day as “swullocking,” or by lamenting how “quanked” they feel after a long week? And who among us hasn’t, at some point, felt like a “gudgeon” after falling for an obvious prank?
Wayne State University’s Word Warriors have been at this for 17 years now, and their enthusiasm shows no sign of waning. Each new list is a testament to the enduring power of language—and to the enduring appeal of a good word, well used. As the world rushes forward in a fluckadrift of technological change, there’s comfort in knowing that some traditions, like savoring the right word at the right moment, are still going strong.
For those interested in joining the ranks of Word Warriors—or simply in expanding their vocabulary—the invitation stands open. As Williams and his coterie remind us, there’s always room for one more word, one more story, and one more voice in the great conversation of language.
