Word To Use Today: zarf.

The English language is vast and increasing, but there are still many potentially useful words that don't form part of its vocabulary.

What is the word for the condition of a piece of soap that has expanded into something that may, unless you're jolly careful,  disintegrate into scented slime when you pick it up?

What's the word for a spot of undissolved coffee floating in the top of a cup?

What's the word for the noise people make, something between delight and sympathy, when they see someone walk into a lamp post?

On the other hand, the English language does have zarf, a tremendously useful word that almost no one knows, but which we all nearly need fairly regularly.

A zarf is a holder to protect the hands from hot cups, especially coffee cups.

No, no, it's quite all right. 

All part of the service.



Word To Use Today: zarf. This is originally an Arabic word which means container or sheath. The plural of zarf can be, variously, zarfs, zarves, or, thrillingly, zuruuf.