Odontalgia and Odontiasis n. Toothache and teething, respectively. Your own odontalgia, or your child's odontiasis, might usefully be mentioned when excusing yourself from coming into the office until later on in the morning. But not too bluntly. Say, in a diffident and strained tone of voice: "I'm having a spot of my old trouble again, I'm afraid – you know, er . . . " (here lower your voice to a confidential whisper) " . . . odontalgia. I'd sooner the others didn't know, incidentally."
Each Tuesday, we’ll offer up a Superior Word for the edification of our Superior Readers, via the volumes of the inimitable Peter Bowler. You can purchase all or any of the four Superior Person’s Books of Words from the Godine website. Odontalgia and Odontiasis appear in the First.
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