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.
kuh-PRISH-us
(adjective) Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior; unpredictable and impulsive.
The capricious weather ruined their beach plans when sunny skies suddenly turned to thunderstorms.
Early 17th century: from French “capricieux,” from Italian “capriccioso,” from “capriccio” meaning “sudden change of mind,” literally “head with hair standing on end” (suggesting fright), from “capo” (head) + “riccio” (hedgehog).
Fun Fact
Capricious shares its root with “caprice” and originally connected to goats through “Capricorn”—the idea being that goats leap unpredictably from rock to rock, much like capricious behavior jumps from one whim to another. The hedgehog etymology suggests hair standing on end from sudden fright, capturing that startled, impulsive quality. Fashion gets called capricious when trends change inexplicably. Ancient peoples attributed capricious behavior to the gods, whose moods seemed to shift without warning. Unlike “fickle,” which implies shallow changeability, capricious can describe weather, fate, or fortune—impersonal forces that shift without regard to logic. The stock market behaves capriciously, as do certain creative geniuses whose inspiration arrives and departs mysteriously.
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