I too have spent many pleasant hours looking up one word! There always seems to be another word that comes to mind, or an interesting one at the top of the page, or etc...

I and my brothers also spent a lot of time as children leafing through the encyclopedia. I have been a trivia buff ever since.

I've seen tergiversation several times in novels, but I don't think I have ever heard it used in conversation. I may have to introduce it purposely-- it has such a nice rhythm to it.