"This ain't rocket science," and "it's just a game," and especially, "We don' got no steenkin' roolz."

But, wayback, wayback, some things were pointed out in hopes of making this a more enjoyable experience:
1) the more esoteric the word the better
2) inform the hogm. if you know the word; if two or more folks know
the word, you probably should throw it out to avoid problems (this is guidance for recreational play; in tournament play, this knowledge can be used as an advantage by the player).
3) OneLook.com is a great tool for hogm. use

I've seen comments from hogm. to the effect that they can't be arsed to research their words. It only takes seconds to determine if your word is truly esoteric. A multitude of hits at OneLook should sound an alarm; and where there are lots of hits, there will probably be some Quick Definitions, which may be instructive.

This last leads me to remark that I treat hogwash® as a learning experience (but then not everyone has a ready-made alternate venue for words such as these).

Also, as regards to using OneLook, many of the words used in our games had zero(!) hits (at least until we came along) -- take that as a challenge if you like! [If you have doubts about this claim, run some of these through OneLook.]

for anyone who wonders why all the foofaraw, and 2(two!) pinned topics, regarding hogwash™, I bring this post back from the dead.

Dear Hogmaster,

A sudden strike of spiderism took me to this post. As the current inmates of this board did not react at all whatsoever, I just want to say that if you have the WORD and if some other old or new appreciators of the good old game would join, I'd love to participate in the most refined definition contest/game I've ever known. A fun contest it has always been.

Signed, Cécile ak BranShea