ess-uh-TER-ik
(adjective) Understood or intended for only a small, specialized group with specific knowledge.
The engineer’s esoteric explanation left the rest of the team bewildered.
Fun Fact
From Greek esōterikos (“inner”), “esoteric” once referred to secret teachings reserved for a select group. It now describes any knowledge that’s niche, technical, or inaccessible to outsiders—whether in philosophy, quantum physics, or 2000s video game lore.
sur-up-TISH-us
(adjective) Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; stealthy or secretive.
She cast a surreptitious glance at her phone during the meeting.
Late Middle English: from Latin “surreptitius,” from “surripere” meaning “to take away secretly,” from “sub-” (secretly) + “rapere” (to seize).
Fun Fact
Surreptitious behavior isn’t necessarily illegal or immoral—it’s just done on the sly because it wouldn’t be approved. Surreptitious glances at your watch during boring presentations, surreptitious snacking before dinner, surreptitious phone checks during conversations—these minor sneaky acts define modern life. The word shares its Latin root with “rapture” through the idea of seizing, though surreptitious seizing happens quietly rather than ecstatically. Spy novels love the word for describing covert operations, but everyday surreptitious acts are far more common than espionage, making it the perfect word for socially awkward secret-keeping.
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