Lexical items containing both “j” and “v” are relatively uncommon in English. Examples include “juxtavolve,” meaning to place side by side, especially for comparison or contrast, and “java,” referring to both a programming language and a type of coffee. Variations stemming from these root words, such as “juxtavolving” and “javascript,” also fit this criterion.
The scarcity of such words contributes to their distinctiveness. In technical fields like computer science, terms like “java” and “javascript” hold significant importance, highlighting the impact even infrequent letter combinations can have. The presence of both “j” and “v” often suggests a Latin or Greek etymology, reflecting the rich historical influences shaping the English lexicon. This characteristic can lend an air of sophistication or technical precision to the terms.