Below are three awesome-sounding words you may never have heard or used in your life: First is esoteric , which means something that is intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest. Terms, procedures, and processes specific to a field you have little to no knowledge of or experience in can certainly seem esoteric. Nuclear physics is probably esoteric to a carpenter. Statistics like earned run average and walks plus hits per inning pitched are probably esoteric to those who don't give a lick about baseball. The other two words, arcane and recondite , essentially mean the same thing and serve as synonyms for esoteric. Common words that may be used in lieu of esoteric, arcane, and recondite include mysterious, secret, and obscure. Had you heard or used any of these words before? Which one sounds coolest to you? What's an example of something you'd consider esoteric, arcane, or recondite?

Super Bowl Sunday is regarded as one of the biggest occasions of the year in the United States. From the barbecues and chicken wings to the ads and much-anticipated halftime show, many people consider it a holiday in its own right, even though it has yet to achieve that status officially. I actually have a friend who always takes the Monday after Super Bowl Sunday off; it just goes to show you just how much alcohol people consume that night. As someone who studied and works in marketing, I can certainly appreciate the appeal of commercials played during the big event. From spots featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales to clever Doritos ads, these ads tend to be funny and worth tuning in for. However, I don't think I've ever watched a football game from start to finish; I've just never been a fan of the sport. (I didn't even know who was playing until the teams were mentioned in a segment on Fox News this morning.) Instead, I have always followed baseball and basketball,...