Every now and then life leaves us all at a literal loss for words, and some of the situations we find ourselves in almost every day are ironically the ones that are impossible to describe. As a lover of words and an advocate for a broad vocabulary, I have been both shocked and ecstatic to find these words that I wish I had known all along. Not to mention, it's extremely reassuring that I'm not the only one to experience No. 5!
1. Lethologica: (n) the inability to remember a particular word or name; the experience of having a word slip from your mind, often phrased as being "on the tip of the tongue."
This is what usually happens whenever you're really attempting to show off your smarts, but end up babbling a bunch of "um's" and "you know, that one thing" instead.
2. Irusu: (n) pretending to be out, particularly when someone knocks on your door.
Sometimes this isn't a choice. Sometimes you're wearing your penguin pajamas with a clay mask on your face and potato chip crumbs all over you.
3. Yugen: (n) a profound, mysterious awareness of the universe and the sad beauty of human suffering that triggers an emotional response.
Because sometimes the universe likes to remind us who's boss, and honestly, sometimes we need it.
4. Hikikomori: (n) when a young person who is obsessed with tv, video games, and the internet withdraws from society.
Introverts everywhere know this feeling well, or just anyone who has ever gone on a five hour Netflix binge. (this is all of us, who are we kidding?)
5. Nito-Onna: (n) a woman so dedicated to her career that she doesn't have time to iron blouses and dresses only in knitted tops.
This is my new favorite excuse for what is better defined as "self-proclaimed laziness and not giving a s***".
6. Clinomania: (n) the excessive desire to stay in bed.
@mondaymorning this one's for you.
7. Coddiwomple: (v) to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.
When you're not exactly lost, and you also don't exactly know where you're going, but you fake it anyway because your peers can actually SMELL fear...
8. Bakkushan: (n) a woman who seems to be attractive only when viewed from behind.
This.is.an.insult. It's similar to "butterface" or any other grade school slurs you might have heard hurled around the cafeteria. :(
9. Zemblanity: (n) the inevitable discovery of what we would rather not know; opposite of serendipity.
Oh, you and your significant other share a toothbrush? Oh and you haven't been to the dentist in 3 years? I'm glad these are things I know now.
10. Drapetomania: (n) an overwhelming urge to run away.
The only thing keeping this from happening is the running part...
11. Boketto: (v) the act of gazing vacantly into the distance without thinking.
Followed by that awkward moment when you realize you've been making eye contact with a stranger for a questionable amount of time and now they either think you're a creep or you want to jump their bones both of which are bad so you just keep your head down for the rest of the time you're in their proximity. *sigh*
12. Novaturient: (adj) desiring or seeking powerful change in one's life, behavior, or situation.
#thereasonimincollege
13. Sturmfrei: (adj) the freedom of being alone; the ability to do what you want.
Also the reason you might be confused when people complain about having the house to themselves, or why you tell your friends you have too much to do to go out with them when you really just have a date with ramen and Gossip Girl. #sorrynotsorry
14. Basorexia: an overwhelming urge to kiss.
a.k.a. hormones.
15. Quaintrelle: (n) a woman who emphasizes a life of passion, expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and cultivation of life's pleasures.
What we should all aspire to be, or rather what we should allow ourselves to be. Now all quaintrelles go inspire the world with your impressively vast vocabulary! <3
