The Marginalian
The Marginalian

The Word Project: Obscure Words in Bricolage

What avian resemblance has to do with the study of soil and the irresistible urge to dance.

By Maria Popova

We love words and language, especially artful intersections of lingolove and design. Earlier this week, we spotlighted illustrator Veronika Heckova’s lovely Words Without Words project and, thanks to reader Cassandra Marketos, we discovered the utterly wonderful work of artist Polly M. Law. The Word Project is a compendium of 100 odd and obscure words, illustrated in Law’s signature bricolage paper-dolls style.

Strigiform: (adj) resembling an owl; Struthiform (adj) resembling an ostrich
Image courtesy of Polly M. Law
Dinomania: (n) irresistible urge to dance
Image courtesy of Polly M. Law
Godwottery: (n) an overly ornate garden
Image courtesy of Polly M. Law
Pedology: (n) the study of soils
Image courtesy of Polly M. Law
Lucubrate: (v) to work by artificial light
Image courtesy of Polly M. Law
Bibliotaph: (n) a person who hides books
Image courtesy of Polly M. Law
Empyreal: (adj) celestial, elevated
Image courtesy of Polly M. Law

At once whimsical and illuminating, The Word Project is a playful and inspired gateway into grown-up vocabulary, approaching the intellectual with the kind of childlike curiosity we so encourage.

Thanks, Cass

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Published March 25, 2011
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https://www.themarginalian.org/2011/03/25/polly-law-the-word-project/
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