Here’s a fun word for you: xiphoid.

Most famous for its use as an adjective in medical terminology with the “xiphoid process”, the word appropriate for common usage. The fine folks at Merriam-Webster do not provide much for xiphoid other than:

Looking at the perhaps less credible yet “best domain for purpose” Dictionary.com, we get the definition of:

So, “sword-shaped” it is.

Xiphoid is useful and, with the application of a little imagination, can be fun. For CPR, the xiphoid process, aka the “sword-shaped process”, is an important physiological landmark to guide where one’s hands should be placed for chest compressions. On the creative-side, I know xiphoid does not outright mean “sword”, but imagine if it did…

“Draw your xiphoid!”

“I challenge you to a duel! Our xiphoids clash at dawn!”

“Bzzzuuu” – me engaging my light-xiphoid (*ahem*, saber).

“Look at the size of my xiphoid…process.”

Maybe too much imagination is dangerous. Anyway, enjoy the knowledge drop!