No, this is not a typo. Froward means a difficult person to deal with It originally was the antonym for toward, froward meaning to move away from something. (Source: Merriam-Webster’s 365 New Words Calendar)

This word literally means mixed together, such as a mixture of grains. The implication here is that the mixture is without any semblance of order. Therefore the word can easily be used to describe your closet or desk. Use it at work for a seemingly benign compliment: “I wish I could be so farraginous with my workspace as you.” (Source: Merriam-Webster’s 365 New Words Calendar)

I have a friend who, every Saturday morning, tromps around town visiting garage sales. Now, I don’t yet have a word to describe her, but I do have this word for the garage seller. Aginate means to sell small things. So she is a fan of the aginator, or seller of trinkets. (Source: Totally Weird and Wonderful Words)

Obviously this has something to do with writing. However, when you pronounce that your colleague has excellent cacography, instead of meaning calligraphic talent, you are referring to his or her exceptionally bad spelling or handwriting. (Source: Merriam-Webster’s 365 New Words Calendar)

Writative means given to or addicted to writing — a far cry from heavy drug use, but possibly as severe. The word first appeared in a correspondence between Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift in 1736. Pope wrote: “Increase of years has makes men more talkative but less writative.” Alas, I’d love to say I’m writative all the time, but I also have bouts of procrastinative. (Source: Merriam-Webster’s 365 New Words Calendar)

I discovered this word while reading Cold Skin by Albert Sànchez Piñol. I looked it up (yes I’m that geeky about words) and found a keeper. Concupiscence means sexual desire or lust. It comes from the Latin word cupere meaning desire. The next time you’re trying to speed things along with your boy- or girlfriend, try saying, “My darling, my concupiscence for you is overwhelming.” It sounds romantic. Or you could try the adjective, concupiscible (worthy of being desired). “My love, you are truly concupiscible.” (Source: Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary)

Why have a weekly sales meeting when you can have a hebdomadal meeting. It sounds vaguely reminiscent of abdominal, but really means weekly. The root of the word is hepta- meaning seventh, and the adjective comes from hebdomad, meaning the number seven. (Source: The Superior Person’s Second Book of Weird & Wondrous Words)

The Ancient Greeks named the stars “galaxy” meaning mother’s milk. Agalaxy means without mother’s milk. So rather than use lactose-intolerant, why not say you’re agalactic. (Source: Totally Weird and Wonderful Words)

Can’t decide between the blue blazer or the gray suit? Where to go for lunch? At least there’s on thing you can easily decide: you have hypobulia. Hypobulia is a condition where the sufferer has difficulty in making decisions. (Source: The Superior Person’s Second Book of Weird & Wondrous Words)

Do you have that overly strict boss who deems it necessary you dress in a suit, even though you spend the day holed up in a cubicle far from the eyes of humanity? If the answer is yes, then perhaps your employer is Draconian. Draco (not to be confused with the Rowling character) was the name of a seventh century B.C. Athenian legislator. He created a written code of law so severe, we remember him to this day. Minor offenses were punishable by death, and failure to pay one’s debts resulted in slavery (much like your life in that cubicle). (Source: Merriam-Webster’s 365 New Words Calendar)