Comments on: Mamihlapinatapai

By: loribeth

loribeth — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:47:30 +0000

I was just in Minnesota & bought a mug that says “uff da” on it. It reminded of my grandmother, who used that phrase all the time. Kind of the Scandinavian version of “oy vey,” lol.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:04:09 +0000

Saudade. Brazilian Portuguese, pronounced “Sow-DAH-jee”, and there’s no real English equivalent, but it means, roughly, “thinking about the past (or a farawawy place or person) and simultaneously longing for it in a painful way while enjoying all of the good memories and feelings associated with that time.”

Great question, btw!

By: Murrday

Murrday — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:48:39 +0000

Well, lacking a word, we invent! I think Fauxrosity for false generosity
would work fine. What do you all think?

By: m.

m. — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:41:03 +0000

Schadenfruede is an old favorite, but I love the new ones people have shared here, as well as the words we wished we had.

Serenity, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted that word – the one you want to leave for someone who’s heart is aching so badly, and its an ache you know too, and all you can say is “hugs” or something equally insufficient. I wish there were a word to convey that shared feeling and desire to comfort, soothe, sit with.

And PaleMother, if you invent a word for faux generosity, I will personally lobby to get it added to the dictionary.

And what about a word for the emotion that you described, Mel? The thing that brought you to your new discovery. That instant urge which brings a good friend to mind immediately, one so strong that you have to reach out and find them, if only to tell them you are thinking of them? I think that would be a lovely word.

By: PaleMother

PaleMother — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:27:45 +0000

Ouch. How about a word for an honest mistake that you will never convince anyone is not raw stupiditiy/ignorance instead.

“schadenfruede” … I swear it was a typo.

By: Baby Smiling In Back Seat

Baby Smiling In Back Seat — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:56:06 +0000

My favorite is a Japanese word (specific to Okinawa), hara hachi bu. It means you eat until you are 80% full.

Not that I practice it, but I like the idea.

By: NotTheMama

NotTheMama — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:22:30 +0000

I need a word for someone who looks you in the face and says, “I got you this at a yard sale, even thought I know you don’t like it. It would look perfect in your spare bedroom!” You know, a word besides mother-in-law!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:38:31 +0000

How ’bout this one ladies? My husband uses this one.
Travishamockery which is of course a travesty+a sham+ and a mockery all on one. He used it, and forgive me if it offends, in the context of the “octomom.”

By: Gabi

Gabi — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:31:19 +0000

I have always loved the italian verb: “sgattaiolare via.” It means to quickly scramble away like a scared cat.

But I think on of the most useful, untranslatable words I know is “sfruttare.” When I lived in Italy, the director of our program would constantly tell us to “sfruttare” the experience. It basically means to take advantage of, but in a positive, relishing sense. Sort of like combining the idea of milking something for all its worth and how you feel the last day of summer camp.

Happy ICLW!

By: Lori Lavender Luz

Lori Lavender Luz — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:01:15 +0000

“Meh” always makes me think of Chicklet.

In Japanese, wa means something like harmony or peace where individuals form a group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wa_%28Japan%29

In Arabic, insha’llah means “G*d willing,” but it also seems to encapsulate the AA creed: asking for courage to change what one can, serenity to accept what one can’t, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Love these new words I’m learning here. Blogging is very meraki-ish.