Funny Words That Start With S [LIST]

Language is full of quirky and amusing words, and some letters seem to have a particular knack for producing the funniest sounds. The letter ‘S’ is a prime example, offering a variety of words that can leave you chuckling with their playful pronunciation, odd meanings, or simply their unique charm. From whimsical descriptions of animals to unexpected combinations of sounds, words that start with ‘S’ have a way of putting a smile on your face. Whether it’s the playful hiss of ‘sizzle’ or the surprising twist in ‘snollygoster’, these words bring a little lighthearted fun to the language.

In this article, we’re diving into a list of funny words that start with ‘S’, exploring the humor behind their sounds, spellings, and meanings. Some may seem silly, others just outright strange, but each of them has a distinctive quality that can make you giggle. So if you’re looking for a way to spice up your vocabulary or simply enjoy the absurdity of language, keep reading to discover the most amusing ‘S’ words that are sure to brighten your day.

Funny Words That Start With S

1. Snollygoster

A snollygoster is a clever, unprincipled person, often used to describe politicians who make decisions based on their own interests rather than ethics.

Examples

• The politician was a true snollygoster, always making decisions based on personal gain rather than public good.
• Don’t trust that snollygoster with your money; he has a reputation for sneaky business deals.

2. Skedaddle

To skedaddle means to run away quickly or to flee, often used in a playful or humorous context.

Examples

• As soon as they saw the rain clouds, the kids decided to skedaddle and run home.
• He heard the police sirens and told his friends to skedaddle before they got caught.

3. Slubberdegullion

An old and humorous word used to describe a person who is lazy, dirty, or irresponsible.

Examples

• That slubberdegullion spilled his drink all over the floor and then blamed it on me!
• Stop acting like a slubberdegullion and clean up your mess.

4. Sillywag

A term often used to describe a playful, carefree gesture or action, usually involving exaggerated movements or expressions.

Examples

• The cat’s sillywag tail betrayed her excitement as she pounced on the toy.
• He had a sillywag grin on his face, knowing he had pulled off a successful prank.

5. Snooze

Snooze refers to a short nap, typically taken during the day, often associated with relaxation and drowsiness.

Examples

• I took a quick snooze after lunch to recharge my energy.
• The cat was in the middle of a snooze when I tried to sneak past her.

6. Shenanigans

Shenanigans refer to playful, mischievous activities, often involving tricks or pranks. The term carries a humorous tone.

Examples

• Stop with the shenanigans and get back to work!
• The kids were up to their usual shenanigans, hiding in the closet and popping out to scare their parents.

7. Squabble

A squabble is a petty, usually playful argument or disagreement, often over trivial matters.

Examples

• The siblings had a silly squabble over who would sit in the front seat of the car.
• We spent hours trying to mediate their squabble about who ate the last cookie.

8. Skivvies

A humorous term for underwear, often used in a playful or informal context.

Examples

• He had to borrow a pair of skivvies after losing his luggage during the trip.
• After the swim, I quickly changed out of my wet skivvies and into dry clothes.

9. Squee

Squee is a high-pitched exclamation of joy or excitement, often used when reacting to something overwhelmingly cute or exciting.

Examples

• She couldn’t help but let out a little squee when she saw the cute puppy.
• Every time he gets a new video game, he lets out an excited squee.

10. Scallywag

A scallywag is a term for a mischievous or dishonest person, especially one who engages in harmless but slightly naughty behavior.

Examples

• Stop being such a scallywag and get back to work!
• The scallywags were caught stealing apples from the orchard and sent to the sheriff.

11. Sassafras

Sassafras is a type of tree known for its aromatic leaves and roots, and it’s also used to describe a quirky or spicy flavor.

Examples

• The drink had a hint of sassafras, making it taste both sweet and spicy.
• He loved the smell of sassafras leaves in the fall when they turned a brilliant red.

12. Sprocket

A sprocket is a mechanical component with teeth that fits into a chain, usually part of a machine or bicycle. It’s a word that sounds both technical and funny when used in everyday conversation.

Examples

• The old bicycle’s sprocket needed some oiling before it would run smoothly again.
• He was trying to fix the engine but couldn’t find the right size sprocket.

13. Swindle

Swindle refers to a type of fraudulent trick or scam where someone is deceived, often used in humorous contexts to describe lighthearted trickery.

Examples

• The scam artist tried to swindle the elderly couple out of their savings.
• He had been swindled into buying a fake Rolex, but he didn’t mind too much.

14. Sass

Sass is a term for cheeky, bold, or disrespectful behavior, often delivered in a humorous or sarcastic manner.

Examples

• She gave me some serious sass when I asked her to clean up her room.
• He was known for his quick wit and sass, always ready with a clever remark.

15. Stumblebum

A stumblebum refers to a clumsy person, someone prone to tripping or making awkward mistakes in a lighthearted way.

Examples

• I can’t believe I dropped the cake again; I’m such a stumblebum.
• He managed to trip over his own feet while trying to impress her-classic stumblebum move.

16. Spelunking

Spelunking is the act of exploring caves. While it’s a serious activity for some, the word itself can sound humorous due to its unusual and slightly playful nature.

Examples

• We went spelunking in the cave and discovered some amazing stalactites.
• After an hour of spelunking, they were covered in mud but thrilled by the adventure.

17. Snicker

A snicker is a quiet, suppressed laugh, often one that conveys amusement or a little bit of mischief.

Examples

• I caught him trying to stifle a snicker when I tripped over my own shoes.
• The students couldn’t hold back their snickers during the teacher’s funny story.

18. Shmooze

To shmooze means to chat or converse in a friendly, often insincere way, typically for personal gain or networking.

Examples

• He loves to shmooze at parties, making everyone feel special with his charm.
• She was shmoozing the executives to make sure she got the promotion.

19. Spiffy

Spiffy is an informal term used to describe someone or something that looks neat, stylish, or well-groomed.

Examples

• He looked all spiffy in his new suit for the wedding.
• The house was looking spiffy after the weekend cleaning spree.

20. Snafu

Snafu is an acronym for ‘Situation Normal, All Fouled Up,’ used to describe a chaotic or problematic situation that is complicated by confusion or error.

Examples

• We were all ready for the meeting, but then a snafu with the technology delayed everything.
• After the snafu at the wedding, they quickly fixed everything and resumed the celebration.

21. Splotch

A splotch is a large, irregularly shaped stain or blotch, often used to describe a mess in a funny or exaggerated way.

Examples

• I got a big splotch of paint on my shirt while trying to help with the mural.
• There was a splotch of mud on the kitchen floor, which I had to clean up immediately.

22. Sashay

To sashay means to walk in an exaggerated, confident, or playful way, often with a sense of flair and elegance.

Examples

• She sashay-ed across the room, drawing everyone’s attention with her confident stride.
• He tried to sashay into the room like he owned the place, but tripped over the rug instead.

23. Scroggin

Scroggin is an Australian term for a mixture of snacks like dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate-basically trail mix. It sounds fun and lighthearted.

Examples

• We packed some scroggin for our hike-nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate.
• He didn’t know what scroggin was until he tried it on the camping trip and loved it.

24. Squish

To squish means to squeeze something soft or wet, often with a sound that is both satisfying and humorous.

Examples

• I accidentally stepped in a puddle and felt my shoe squish against the wet ground.
• The kids squished the dough between their hands, making squelching noises.

25. Slurp

Slurp is the sound made when drinking or eating something liquid or semi-liquid. It’s often associated with playful or exaggerated eating noises.

Examples

• He let out a loud slurp as he drank the last of his milkshake.
• The soup was so hot that she had to slurp it slowly to avoid burning her mouth.

26. Snub

A snub is an act of ignoring or disrespecting someone, often done in a subtle or deliberate way. The word has a light, humorous ring to it when used casually.

Examples

• She gave him the cold shoulder, a complete snub at the party.
• After being snubbed by his coworker, he decided not to attend the event.

27. Swashbuckler

A swashbuckler is a type of adventurous, often flamboyant character from pirate tales or historical dramas, known for daring exploits and bravery.

Examples

• He was dressed like a swashbuckler, complete with a sword and pirate hat, for the costume party.
• The movie featured a charming swashbuckler who sailed the seas in search of treasure.

Historical Context

The letter “S” is a source of much humor in the English language, primarily due to the versatility and playfulness it offers. The history of funny words beginning with “S” is entwined with the development of the English language, which itself has a rich tapestry of influences from Old English, Latin, French, Germanic, and even Norse languages. Throughout history, humor in language often served as a way for people to cope with life’s difficulties, to entertain, or to create bonds in communities.

In medieval Europe, for instance, humor played a crucial role in satirical literature and in the everyday lives of the common folk. Funny words were often created by fusing elements of folk language, playful rhymes, and physical comedy. The letter "S" with its serpentine shape and sibilant sound is perfect for creating a sense of whimsy. Words like "slapdash" and "squabble" originate from this period, often employed to describe things that were disorderly, messy, or characterized by foolishness—concepts ripe for comedic treatment.

The 16th and 17th centuries saw the rise of English literature as an art form, with writers like Shakespeare using funny-sounding words to elicit both humor and insight into human nature. The use of words like "scuffle," "shenanigans," and "skedaddle" was part of the broader evolution of language in the realm of comedy, drawing on both the natural humor of sounds and the absurdity of social circumstances.

Interestingly, the use of "S" words for humor wasn’t confined to any one class or group. In fact, some of the earliest instances of “S” humor were found in street slang, carnival talk, and theater jargon, where exuberance and exaggeration were the order of the day. Over time, these words became ingrained in the everyday lexicon, especially as they were adopted by the middle and working classes, making their way into the more serious forms of literature and discourse.

Word Origins And Etymology

The origins of funny words starting with "S" are as diverse as the sounds they represent. One of the most fascinating aspects of the letter “S” in humorous words is its ability to create a vivid, sometimes comical image when spoken. Many of these words evolved from older linguistic roots, with meanings and connotations that have shifted in sometimes amusing ways over the centuries.

Take the word “silly,” for example. This word originally comes from the Old English selig, which meant happy or blessed. Over time, however, its meaning shifted from something positive to something more akin to foolish or absurd, which is how it is understood today. The evolution of “silly” is a perfect illustration of how a word can transition into a source of humor as it drifts further from its original, more serious meaning.

“Squabble” is another word with humorous undertones, and its origins reflect the playful nature of its modern usage. This word stems from the Middle English squabblen, which meant to fight or argue noisily over trivial matters. Its root is likely connected to the Old French esquabler, meaning "to argue," and the word’s sound—softer and more drawn-out—almost mimics the silly nature of petty disagreements. In modern use, “squabble” sounds almost like a juvenile version of a fight, which adds to its humorous charm.

Similarly, “skedaddle” has a whimsical origin story. This term, meaning to run away hastily or scatter, has roots in the mid-19th century, with some speculation that it could have come from a Scottish dialectical word scaddle, meaning “to scatter” or “to move rapidly.” However, it became popular in the context of military slang during the American Civil War, where soldiers used it to describe the disorganized retreat of troops. Its funny sound, coupled with its meaning of a comical, sometimes undignified escape, makes it a favorite in comedic writing and casual conversation.

A word like “shenanigans,” often used to describe mischief or deceit, has a particularly interesting history. Its origins can be traced back to 19th-century American slang, although its exact roots are unclear. Some theories suggest it could be derived from the Irish word sean-aigéan, meaning “old sea,” referring to the tricks sailors might play. Others argue it could have a link to the Spanish word chanada, meaning "a trick or a deception." Regardless of its precise origins, the combination of the word’s playful phonetics and its association with mischievous behavior makes it a delightful example of humorous language.

Common Misconceptions

Despite their humor, many words beginning with "S" often come with a host of misconceptions. These misunderstandings usually stem from their funny-sounding nature or their overuse in popular culture, which can distort their original meanings.

For instance, the word “snafu” is often used to describe a situation that is in complete chaos. Its common use in this context is accurate, but its true origins are frequently misunderstood. Many people believe “snafu” is a generic term for any kind of disorder, but it actually has a military origin. The acronym Situation Normal, All Fouled Up was coined during World War II, and the use of the word “fouled” was a polite replacement for a more vulgar term. The misconception arises because many now use “snafu” to describe any kind of problem or mess, rather than the specific military context in which it was born.

Another commonly misunderstood “S” word is “sashay.” To most people, it brings to mind a slow, exaggerated walk, often with a hint of arrogance or swagger. While this is an accurate modern usage, “sashay” originally meant something quite different. In the late 19th century, it came from the French word sacher, meaning “to shake or to sway,” and was used to describe a particular type of swaying movement in dancers. It wasn’t always associated with the sassy or confident walking style it’s linked to today. So, when people use “sashay” to describe any confident stride, they’re applying a contemporary interpretation that doesn’t fully capture the word’s original meaning.

One final example is the word “spiffy.” Today, we commonly associate “spiffy” with looking neat or dapper. It’s a fun and slightly old-fashioned term, but it wasn’t always quite so polished. “Spiffy” comes from the 19th-century slang word spiff, meaning something attractive or stylish. The amusing thing is that spiff might have been derived from spiffe, a term for a poorly executed or shabby appearance. Over time, the meaning flipped on its head, making it a funny example of how language can evolve in unexpected ways.

Conclusion

Words that start with the letter “S” have an undeniable charm and humor. From their historical roots in Old English and medieval jesters’ vocabulary to their playful modern-day connotations, “S” words bring both linguistic history and whimsical humor into our everyday language. Whether it’s the comical image of someone “skedaddling” away from a situation or the mischievous nature of “shenanigans,” these words play a vital role in enriching the English lexicon with lightheartedness and creativity.

The rich etymology of “S” words shows how language evolves through humor, from the jarring "silly" to the boisterous "squabble." Their meanings often shift in amusing ways, and their origins reflect the playful spirit of the cultures that shaped them. Still, we must remember the misconceptions and historical context behind these words to appreciate them fully. These words, often dismissed as just amusing sounds, carry a depth of cultural and linguistic history that can make their humor even more satisfying.

Ultimately, funny “S” words remind us that language is more than just a tool for communication—it is a living, breathing entity that can bring laughter, meaning, and connection in unexpected ways.