Compounds That Look Freakish

unLove

A list of 170 words by chained_bear.

cowslip1275854458and appears on 26 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 26 lists
blobfish1264443889and appears on 11 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 11 lists
wizjug1256138656and appears on just this listwas added by chained_bear and appears on just this list
frogmarch1253800637and appears on 23 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 23 lists
porknut1253211542and appears on 4 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 4 lists
daggerboard1251914112and appears on 5 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 5 lists
lancetfish1250686717and appears on 3 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 3 lists
sackbut1249099815and appears on 22 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 22 lists
cowpoke1248785971and appears on 8 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 8 lists
gangplank1248375795and appears on 16 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 16 lists
cupboard1248375788and appears on 31 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 31 lists
nutmeat1248375773and appears on 12 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 12 lists
thumbtack1248375733and appears on 8 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 8 lists
footpad1248093013and appears on 28 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 28 lists
skybald1247579377and appears on 7 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 7 lists
dogsbody1245260734and appears on 51 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 51 lists
wolfsbane1244145438and appears on 19 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 19 lists
foolscap1243439507and appears on 42 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 42 lists
freakish1240948637and appears on 14 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 14 lists
streetcar1240420039and appears on 8 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 8 lists
gainsay1240402228and appears on 180 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 180 lists
forestomach1237688722and appears on just this listwas added by chained_bear and appears on just this list
spatchcock1232573170and appears on 52 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 52 lists
ribcage1230575539and appears on 12 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 12 lists
switchgrass1226411293and appears on 12 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 12 lists
taillight1224704905and appears on 5 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 5 lists
mandate1224272629and appears on 62 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 62 lists
youtube1223997025and appears on 9 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 9 lists
sheepshank1223830535and appears on 7 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 7 lists
shipbuilding1223786388and appears on 3 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 3 lists
upbraid1223697647and appears on 120 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 120 lists
frigatebird1223697563and appears on 14 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 14 lists
windlass1223684250and appears on 34 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 34 lists
saltpeter1223305700and appears on 20 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 20 lists
wrestplank1223084488and appears on 2 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 2 lists
claymore1223084471and appears on 29 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 29 lists
chokedamp1222889662and appears on 14 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 14 lists
lickspigot1222889611and appears on 12 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 12 lists
chokecherry1222870609and appears on 18 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 18 lists
bladdernut1222870599and appears on 7 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 7 lists
thereof1222355298and appears on 14 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 14 lists
pantywaist1222133041and appears on 26 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 26 lists
frolicsome1221795123and appears on 43 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 43 lists
freeball1221234870and appears on 6 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 6 lists
leeward1220647590and appears on 26 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 26 lists
bonebed1219955968and appears on 5 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 5 lists
graphjam1219876990and appears on just this listwas added by chained_bear and appears on just this list
carpool1219774473and appears on 7 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 7 lists
turnspit1219687132and appears on 21 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 21 lists
hornwork1219624086and appears on 5 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 5 lists
freestone1219623306and appears on 14 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 14 lists
quidnunc1219082345and appears on 123 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 123 lists
scrapyard1218890300and appears on 5 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 5 lists
overmorrow1218804688and appears on 29 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 29 lists
pumpernickel1218739547and appears on 77 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 77 lists
spasmglow1218651642and appears on 4 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 4 lists
gunmetal1218632961and appears on 25 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 25 lists
codpiece1218222278and appears on 28 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 28 lists
lovecop1218025228and appears on 5 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 5 lists
donkeyman1217962558and appears on 7 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 7 lists
screwdriver1217896493and appears on 22 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 22 lists
behindhand1217878688and appears on 15 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 15 lists
dungbomb1217877123and appears on 2 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 2 lists
beebalm1217877017and appears on 8 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 8 lists
watermelon1217621139and appears on 38 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 38 lists
didjibodhrán1217035027and appears on 2 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 2 lists
nipplefruit1217014133and appears on 8 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 8 lists
eelpout1215778207and appears on 16 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 16 lists
skewbald1213108063and appears on 12 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 12 lists
rampike1210814221and appears on 13 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 13 lists
backstaff1210809597and appears on 3 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 3 lists
blacklight1210165266and appears on 5 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 5 lists
fireweed1210031274and appears on 18 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 18 lists
evensong1209640693and appears on 22 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 22 lists
whaleship1209603900and appears on just this listwas added by chained_bear and appears on just this list
whaleboat1209603889and appears on 5 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 5 lists
keelhaul1206584317and appears on 33 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 33 lists
marplot1206157950and appears on 25 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 25 lists
tweendecks1203826320and appears on just this listwas added by chained_bear and appears on just this list
longshanks1197086935and appears on 11 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 11 lists
deadrise1193604067and appears on 5 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 5 lists
nosegay1192763727and appears on 49 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 49 lists
pantyhose1192656798and appears on 21 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 21 lists
cornhole1192652153and appears on 11 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 11 lists
cartridge1192629785and appears on 23 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 23 lists
hamstring1172845554and appears on 29 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 29 lists
billingsgate1172040146and appears on 49 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 49 lists
comeuppance1172040133and appears on 78 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 78 lists
claptrap1172001518and appears on 67 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 67 lists
squeezebox1171788862and appears on 17 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 17 lists
coxcomb1171788824and appears on 104 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 104 lists
quakebuttock1171788770and appears on 30 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 30 lists
riprap1171655600and appears on 20 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 20 lists
monkfish1171618243and appears on 11 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 11 lists
headquarters1171616481and appears on 19 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 19 lists
hindquarters1171616322and appears on 15 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 15 lists
hemlock1171569609and appears on 63 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 63 lists
panpipe1171568785and appears on 6 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 6 lists
hornbook1171553695and appears on 11 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 11 lists
scofflaw1171383382and appears on 59 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 59 lists
hedgehog1171382579and appears on 48 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 48 lists
proofread1171372422and appears on 15 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 15 lists
sideburns1171371414and appears on 18 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 18 lists
ballpoint1171371409and appears on 13 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 13 lists
hoodwink1171359976and appears on 107 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 107 lists
clothespin1171359821and appears on 16 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 16 lists
bellhop1171355846and appears on 14 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 14 lists
sidewalk1170947441and appears on 20 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 20 lists
dickhead1170883563and appears on 25 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 25 lists
shindig1170791489and appears on 66 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 66 lists
oxbow1170754406and appears on 22 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 22 lists
slapdash1170709331and appears on 88 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 88 lists
pussyfoot1170709059and appears on 25 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 25 lists
skinflint1170708541and appears on 47 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 47 lists
buckram1170706992and appears on 40 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 40 lists
buckyball1170706877and appears on 13 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 13 lists
nuthatch1170697384and appears on 20 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 20 lists
killdeer1170697228and appears on 18 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 18 lists
cowbird1170696845and appears on 14 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 14 lists
catbird1170694802and appears on 16 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 16 lists
piecemeal1170694380and appears on 50 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 50 lists
sadsack1170689100and appears on 7 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 7 lists
longshoreman1170678511and appears on 10 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 10 lists
heartsease1170670951and appears on 18 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 18 lists
clapboard1170665449and appears on 21 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 21 lists
someday1170665377and appears on 15 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 15 lists
kneecap1170665252and appears on 15 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 15 lists
dreadnought1170665163and appears on 61 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 61 lists
windjammer1170665132and appears on 19 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 19 lists
dragonfly1170599624and appears on 38 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 38 lists
camelback1170588408and appears on 15 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 15 lists
waxworks1170588329and appears on 11 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 11 lists
horseshoe1170541835and appears on 24 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 24 lists
snapdragon1170540963and appears on 51 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 51 lists
hubcap1170535673and appears on 8 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 8 lists
cattail1170535654and appears on 17 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 17 lists
raspberry1170501866and appears on 67 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 67 lists
butterfly1170501305and appears on 69 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 69 lists
wheelbarrow1170500236and appears on 25 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 25 lists
shoehorn1170494980and appears on 15 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 15 lists
pipsqueak1170494531and appears on 22 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 22 lists
houndstooth1170493445and appears on 42 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 42 lists
chickpea1170492797and appears on 24 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 24 lists
eyelash1170492633and appears on 24 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 24 lists
howsomever1170491905and appears on 6 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 6 lists
whatsoever1170491855and appears on 27 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 27 lists
foghorn1170484868and appears on 10 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 10 lists
piebald1170484833and appears on 82 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 82 lists
riptide1170484782and appears on 13 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 13 lists
lackluster1170484750and appears on 102 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 102 lists
stopgap1170484682and appears on 37 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 37 lists
breadbox1170484396and appears on 9 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 9 lists
footloose1170484382and appears on 19 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 19 lists
tailspin1170430447and appears on 12 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 12 lists
inkhorn1170429786and appears on 68 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 68 lists
ringworm1170429011and appears on 8 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 8 lists
handkerchief1170427885and appears on 32 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 32 lists
peahen1170362333and appears on 13 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 13 lists
godwit1170362113and appears on 8 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 8 lists
starthroat1170362082and appears on 2 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 2 lists
wrentit1170362056and appears on 7 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 7 lists
bushtit1170362035and appears on 15 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 15 lists
wheatear1170362011and appears on 13 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 13 lists
stonechat1170362001and appears on 7 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 7 lists
waxwing1170361985and appears on 18 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 18 lists
ovenbird1170361976and appears on 7 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 7 lists
bananaquit1170361964and appears on 14 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 14 lists
grassquit1170361950and appears on 3 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 3 lists
bullfinch1170361897and appears on 10 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 10 lists
nightjar1170361875and appears on 30 listswas added by chained_bear and appears on 30 lists

About

You know who you are, freakish compounds. Though very useful, some of these words just don't seem right together--or, their meanings are so far from what the two (or more) component words suggest that it is patently unfair to non-native English speakers (which, at some point in our lives, is everyone). It just ain't fittin'.

Comments

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palooka commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

Great idea for a list!

February 4, 2007
reesetee commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

I agree. These are classics. :-)
How 'bout claptrap?

February 13, 2007
sionnach commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

I'd have a minor quibble about including words like monkfish, catbird, or bullfinch because, no matter how incongruous the pairing, one already knows the class of critters one is dealing with from the second word alone. But that's just me. There are some excellent words on this list - I especially liked shindig and sideburns. Great list!

February 27, 2007
chained_bear commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

Thanks, sionnach. It's not just words that you can't tell the meaning of, it's words that also look freakish. Hence the inclusion of what are undeniably freakish-looking words: monkfish, catbird, and bullfinch. Point taken, though--the second word in the compound does suggest the object in question in those cases.

March 4, 2007
uselessness commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

Is it just me, or does every word (compound or not) start to look freakish when isolated from context and stared at intently? To further the effect, say the word aloud over and over again, changing your tone and inflection randomly each time.

March 4, 2007
reesetee commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

u? Um...I think you may need a hobby. ;-)

March 4, 2007
uselessness commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

Yes, I need a hobby. But I'm not the only one.

March 4, 2007
reesetee commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

Point taken! :-D

March 5, 2007
whichbe commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

screwdriver

August 5, 2008
yarb commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

How have I missed this? I love these freakazoid words. I submit my first ever word*, donkeyman.
*listed on Wordie, that is.

August 5, 2008
whichbe commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

pumpernickel

August 15, 2008
whichbe commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

carpool?

August 27, 2008
chained_bear commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

Ooh, good one! Thanks whichbe!

August 27, 2008
zuccaciyecioglu commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

nutmeat

October 8, 2008
whichbe commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

piebald

October 9, 2008
dharma66 commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

try cupboard

October 17, 2008
mollusque commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

Cheerled.

November 1, 2008
whichbe commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

gangplank

December 31, 2008
mollusque commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

Forestomach.

March 21, 2009
reesetee commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

How about thumbtack?

July 24, 2009
chained_bear commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

You think...? I guess so. Also added all these others. Thanks!

July 24, 2009
reesetee commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

Well, I think, but it's your list. :-)

July 24, 2009
Prolagus commented on the list compounds-that-look-freakish

I agree about peahen.

April 13, 2010