WHAT’S A WORD THAT SOUNDS NAUGHTY – BUT ISN’T?

Let’s talk about those words that make us do a double-take, where we can’t help but giggle, only to find out they're innocent. It’s like the language equivalent of a "whoops, I didn’t mean that!" moment.

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Here are some gems that sound a little naughty, but have very innocent meanings. Prepare yourself for a laugh (or two)…

1. Dongle – A little device that plugs into your computer. No, not the thing you’re thinking of.
2. Gesticulate – To use hand gestures, especially when you're talking animatedly.
3. Uvula – That tiny, dangly thing at the back of your throat. (Now you’ll be thinking about your uvula every time you yawn.)
4. Homo erectus – The first human species to evolve a humanlike body. (We're talking ancient history, not anything you’d see on a late-night channel.)
5. Sextuplet – A group of six things. Six. Like… babies
   
   
   
   
6. Succulent – Full of juice or a type of plant. So, think delicious fruits or cacti, not whatever else you’re imagining.
7. Mastication – The very fancy word for chewing. (Go ahead, say it out loud. You know you want to.)
8. Penal code – A document that compiles all of a jurisdiction’s criminal laws. (Not a code for anything penal if you catch my drift.)
9. Cockles – Edible mollusks. They’re delicious, but still… good luck keeping a straight face.
10. Shuttlecock – The object you hit back and forth in badminton. Yes, shuttlecock. It's a thing.
11. Coccyx – Your tailbone. It’s where your butt begins, but we’re still not making this one any less awkward.
12. Thespian – Someone who acts or pertains to drama. Not a term for your other kind of performance.
13. Vestibule – A hallway between the outside and inside of a building. A very respectable entryway.
14. Undulating – Moving in a smooth, wavy motion. Not the kind of movement you’re probably imagining.
15. Fallacious – Deceptive or misleading. Not exactly what you’d call a “dirty” trick, but hey, a little spicy!
16. Lickety-split – Fast. As in, “Get it done lickety-split!” No need to bring that up right now.
17. Exacerbate – To make things worse. Not sure how we got here, but yeah, the situation is exacerbated.
18. Kumquat – A citrus fruit that’s small, round, and tangy. Perfect for a sweet snack.
19. Pupusa – A thick flatbread made of cornmeal or rice flour. Not a euphemism, just delicious!
20. Cornhole – The game with bean bags and a board with a hole in it. Keep your mind out of the gutter on this one.

There you go, the next time you hear one of these, you can confidently drop the knowledge—no blushing required. 🙃