I appreciate when I come across a new word in situations that are not known for new and exciting language choices. That happened with the word ‘otiose’. A reviewer had written on a report that some of the content was otiose. Being a biologist, and not having come across this word before, I assumed that it was related to ‘otic’: being of the ear, which confused me no end as the report had nothing to do with body parts. How wrong was I…
Otiose: an adjective meaning that something serves no practical purpose or result, or indolent or idle (Source)
… which I think it is an incredible word but, as yet, haven’t had much opportunity to use it in general conversation.
