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phlogiston 

A mytical substance given off by fire during burning. Said to be the cause of rust. Theoretically a flame stops burning in an enclosed area because the air has become "phlogiston saturated".

Primarily a concept held during the middle ages, and associated with alchemaical "research".
phlogiston by Thlayli February 7, 2003
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phlogiston 

A widely-researched phenomenon in the Middle Ages, phlogiston was thought to be an inherent substance in all things that could burn. When something was burned, phlogiston was visible in the form of flame, and was released into the air. In turn, people thought something would not burn without air because the air was already "full of phlogiston" and no more could be released into the air. In short, phlogiston was believed to be the substance that fire was made of.
These days, under influence of modern science, the concept of phlogiston is usually regarded as superstition.
phlogiston by Fluid March 30, 2004

phlogiston 

My girl wanted a facial in a salon, but we couldn’t afford it. So I instead covered her face with my phlogiston.
phlogiston by johnfelon February 20, 2017

phlogistinator 

An incredibly unbalanced weapon in the game Team Fortress 2. Often used by noobs, it encourages the popular ''W+M1+ Stragedy, taking little effort.
Oh shit, the other team is using a phlogistinator

phlogistonning 

Phlogistonning: When you come late to an internet thread and you are afraid that no one is going to see your comment so instead of just sucking it up and taking it like a flan you start a new post about the exact same topic in the same community.
Phlogistonning: "Oh no, too many people have posted their selfies already, no one is gonna see my selfie, I swear to god I am gonna make people see me, time to phlogiston this bitch"

Phlogistintaneously

To move with such absurd, physics‑defying speed, that the resulting friction ignites your body, causing you to burst into flames like a budget superhero who skipped the safety briefing. Usually implies reckless enthusiasm, terrible decision‑making, or both.
She left the office so fast on Friday afternoon she practically vanished phlogistintaneously in a trail of smoke and regret.
It is said of the situation where a person has the bad luck to make contact with his testicles against an undefined surface or object, intentioned or not.
Given the nature of the word, it is more appropriate to design cases where the interaction is made with a moving object, for example, a ball.
Although it is extremely painful for the victim, it tends to be considerably funny to people who witness it.
Today in the baseball game the pitcher took a nutshot; the baseball hit him in the nuts.

Man, I just watched the funniest nutshot video ever.
Nutshot by Uberflaven March 1, 2009
Word of the Day on June 26, 2026