Merriam Webster has tweeted a cry for help, revealing that the most searched for word on its site for 2016 was "fascism."

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This is particularly irksome, as the number one lookup becomes the word of the year. This means "fascism" will be this year's entry to a roster that includes such noble concepts as "democracy," "integrity," and of course, "w00t" (an expression of joy, approval, or excited enthusiasm, particularly via digital channels).

Of course, it hasn't all been rosy. In 2008, we came crashing down from "w00t" to "bailout," which we followed up with "admonish" and then "austerity." But we pulled ourselves together a little in 2011 with "pragmatic," before flirting with "socialism," and then reaching up to "science" and "culture." Then 2016 happened, and people felt it was necessary to understand the exact meaning of "fascism." And the rest of the most searched words in 2016 aren't much more inspiring.

But Merriam Webster isn't taking this lying down. It is encouraging users to fight back by searching instead for a different word to try and topple "fascism." The word of choice, "flummadiddle" (a noun, meaning… actually, I'm going to make you search for it to help the cause) has seen a spike in searches since they started tweeting about it.

While it may be too late to save 2016's word of the year from '"fascism," the effort of trying to oppose it with esoteric wordplay is to be applauded. In celebration, we've listed some of our favorite niche vocab words, along with helpful hints of how to use each word before the year is out. Oh, and if all this has got you feeling a little blue, the most used hashtag on Instagram for 2016 was #love. W00t

Absquatulate, verb. To abruptly leave an event without informing the host."The champagne was running dangerously low, so I absquatulated to continue celebrating with my own wine at home."

Crapulent, adjective. Sickness cause by excessive drinking or eating. "That Thanksgiving feast mixed with the homemade cranberry moonshine has got me feeling crapulent."

Cynosure, noun. A person or thing that is the centre of attention or admiration. "In my gold metallic jumpsuit, I was the cynosure of the banquet."

Effluvium, noun. A slight or invisible ex vapoir, especially one that is disagreeable or noxious. "I want to make sprouts, but I'm scared of Aunt Belinda's seasonal effluvium."

Fantods, noun. An ill-defined state of irritability and distress. "I just know I'll break into a state of fantods if Uncle Jack starts talking about Trump during Christmas dinner."

Kakistrocracy, noun. A government run by the worst people from its society. "Get ready, it's going to be a long four years with this kakistrocracy."

Quidnunc, noun. An inquisitive and gossipy person. "Of course Aunt Bridget is asking about my cousin's illicit affair with some unicyclist. She's such a quidnunc."

Tintinnabulation, noun. A ringing or tinkling sound. "What a tintinnabulation! It must be Santa riding past in his sleigh."

Weltschmerz, noun. A feeling of melancholy and world-weariness. "Whoopee doo, it's 2017, we've got a kakistrocracy on our hands, the great barrier reef is more like a giant colorless skeleton, and my socks are damp. Excuse me while I bask in this abyss of weltschmerz."

Zaftig, adjective. Pleasantly plump. "That has to be the most zaftig Santa I've ever seen, and golly he looks like a jolly guy."

From: Esquire US