Whether you are a native English speaker or have achieved a high grasp of the language, there are always new things to learn about this complicated, often inexplicable language. Being the language with the most words in the world, it’s only logical that there are words we don’t know the meaning to. However, there are many common nouns that can actually be used as verbs, in a process often referred to as “anthimeria.” Shakespeare was very famous for this, and is the inventor for the verb usage of cake, elbow, and many more words. We bet you didn’t know that the following nouns could be used as verbs! Why not impress someone and drop them in your next conversation?
Tiger
Yes, the orange and black striped feline actually can be used as a verb too! “Tigering” has two meanings, as listed in the Oxford English Dictionary. One is, “to act, behave, or walk to and fro, like a tiger.” The second is “to mark like a tiger with lines or streaks of contrasting color.” This makes perfect sense, given the coat of the cat.
Crab
Yet another animal on our list of nouns used as verbs, “crab” has multiple meanings too. It can mean to move sideways, as a crab might do when scuttling, or it can also mean to complain. This is why we sometimes refer to people who are grumpy as “crabby,” for they are likely to snap at any moment.
Heaven
“Heavening” might sound a bit silly (as do all the verbs on our list, who are we kidding), but it has been used as far back as the 17th century! To heaven means to make someone very happy, as if you were sending them to heaven from pleasure. Example, we are heavening when someone surprises us with making our absolute favorite food.
Liver
No, thankfully this has nothing to do with the slimy gray food (and body part). Rather, liver is a shortened version of the word “deliver.” The verb form of liver means to hand in something, surrender, or unload cargo. You can liver that next big assignment to your boss!
Raccoon
Probably our favorite of the bunch, “raccoon” means to wander around during nighttime. This is due to the furry animal’s activity that occurs once the sun has set. There’s nothing like racooning with friends during the warm summer vacation months!
Photos: Pixabay