Tartle (Scots) * The nearly onomatopoeic word for that panicky hesitation just before you are going to introduce someone whose name you can't quite remember. Mamihlapinatapai (Yaghan language of Tierra del Fuego) * This word captures that special look shared between two people, when both are wishing that the other would do something that they both want, but neither want to do. Backpfeifengesicht (German) * A face badly in need of a fist. Sounds like a nice way of saying it… maybe. Iktsuarpok (Inuit) * You know that feeling of anticipation when you’re waiting for someone to show up at your house and you keep going outside to see if they’re there yet? This is the word for it. Can’t you feel the excitement? Pelinti (Buli, Ghana) * my mom: the pizza looks hot, don’t eat it yet. me: you’re right *takes a huge bite and regrets it immediately* aaaarrraahh In Ghana they have a word that specifically means: to move hot food around in your mouth. Gigil (Filipino) * The urge to pinch or squeeze something that is irresistibly cute. Yuputka (Ulwa) * or Waldeinsamkeit (German) A word made for walking in the woods at night, it’s the phantom sensation of something crawling on your skin. The feeling of being alone in the woods. Jayus (Indonesian) A joke so bad or told so poorly that you can't help but laugh. Sobremesa (Spanish) The time after dinner, but often still at the table, talking to the people you shared the meal with. Pochemuchka (Russian) A person who asks a lot of questions. Why does there need to be a word for that? Pasear (Spanish) To go out, perhaps on a stroll, with or without a specified destination. With positive connotation. To anyone trying to learn new languages... into the mouth of the wolf! Apparently an Italian saying, that I might be using wrong, meaning good luck (in bocca al lupo!)! I’ve been collecting these for a while, but the asterisk marks ones I just found.
* From a post on Mental Floss, didn't change much, so just giving credit where it is due.
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Who Am I?Hi there! I'm Whit, my pronouns are they/them, and I write a lot.
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Painting by Whit Acrylics on masonite April 20th, 2019 Words are a Quaker saying. George Fox? |