"What's that Word...?"
Let me take you to a place you may have been countless times in your life--I know I have.
Your telling someone--your best friend, significant other, parent, teacher or whatever--a story. It's a great story, rife with vivid imagery and catchy dialogue and suspense and all the hallmarks of a great story. And then, you get to the best part, the juiciest detail, the apex of this recount that is going to knock your listener right on his or her butt, and you are trying to describe this one moment...and you can't think of the word to give that moment its due justice.
You are literally stumped for a word and you end up going with some lame synonym that pops into your head (probably from Bunje's damn SAT Vocab list) but you know that your story falls flat because that was SO not the word you wanted. Ever happen to you? Why, do you think?
Well, I have a theory. It's in its nascent stages, but a theory nonetheless. I have procured said theory by perusing ( a word that does not mean what many of you think it means, incidentally) The Global Language Monitor. This site is dedicated to tracking trends in language, specifically the English language, and it is chock full of all kinds of fascinating facts about word etymologies, global trends, colloquialisms etc. It's really cool, especially if you're a geek like me (and many of you are--don't even try to front).
Anyway, it was while I was on this site that my theory began to crystallize about why we, at the worst possible moments, are suddenly at a loss for words.
There are, according to the GLM, 1,041,257.5 words in the English Language, plus or minus a handful.
A pretty impressive number by any standard, especially when you consider that the French Language has fewer than 100,000 words total. The average human has approximately 14,000 words in his or her repetoire. Shakespeare had 24,000--1,700 of which he made up--floating around his brilliant brain. Man, I love that guy.
So, all this to say..what? Well, even with all of those words zooming through the ether, the bottom line is there is sometimes no word to describe, define, pinpoint or whatever, the "undefinable." That's why we can't finish the story in the scenario I mentioned earlier. Undefineable words usually fall into one of three categories: feelings, abstract concepts and phenomena.
When I say feelings, I mean like, that sensation that washes over you the first warm day after a long, cold winter when you are driving in a car with all the windows down and radio tuned into your favorite song. Or, the feeling you get when you just get your crush's phone number and you're staring at your phone, sweating, pacing, wondering if you should start punching numbers.
Occasionally, mixed in with feelings are some abstract concepts, like the idea of strength, character, courage etc.
And I know we have all experiences some weird phenomena-type occurences that we write off as "coincidence" which is a catch-all word that doesn't really encapsulate the notion that, for example, when someone you know gets pregnant suddenly all you see are pregnant women or maternity stores or baby paraphenalia. Or, when you buy a new car you begin to notice that there are 4 of that same car within a mile of your house.
All of these things and so many more, despite the much-vaunted number the GLM is broadcasting about the English Language, simply do not have a word that really captures the essence of their true meaning.
That is, until this blog.
Your task this week, Langers, is to put a word to those notions, concepts, feelings and/or phenomena. So, first I want you to think of one of those moments--the feelings, concepts or phenomena that you personally have experienced. Then, I would like you to talk about the "synonym" that would closely describe it, even though you know in your heart that synonym doesn't do it justice. Then, in a whimsical fit of language acquistion, I want you to MAKE UP a word that would better describe what you're talking about. Hell, if Mary Poppins can do it, why can't we?
Your telling someone--your best friend, significant other, parent, teacher or whatever--a story. It's a great story, rife with vivid imagery and catchy dialogue and suspense and all the hallmarks of a great story. And then, you get to the best part, the juiciest detail, the apex of this recount that is going to knock your listener right on his or her butt, and you are trying to describe this one moment...and you can't think of the word to give that moment its due justice.
You are literally stumped for a word and you end up going with some lame synonym that pops into your head (probably from Bunje's damn SAT Vocab list) but you know that your story falls flat because that was SO not the word you wanted. Ever happen to you? Why, do you think?
Well, I have a theory. It's in its nascent stages, but a theory nonetheless. I have procured said theory by perusing ( a word that does not mean what many of you think it means, incidentally) The Global Language Monitor. This site is dedicated to tracking trends in language, specifically the English language, and it is chock full of all kinds of fascinating facts about word etymologies, global trends, colloquialisms etc. It's really cool, especially if you're a geek like me (and many of you are--don't even try to front).
Anyway, it was while I was on this site that my theory began to crystallize about why we, at the worst possible moments, are suddenly at a loss for words.
There are, according to the GLM, 1,041,257.5 words in the English Language, plus or minus a handful.
A pretty impressive number by any standard, especially when you consider that the French Language has fewer than 100,000 words total. The average human has approximately 14,000 words in his or her repetoire. Shakespeare had 24,000--1,700 of which he made up--floating around his brilliant brain. Man, I love that guy.
So, all this to say..what? Well, even with all of those words zooming through the ether, the bottom line is there is sometimes no word to describe, define, pinpoint or whatever, the "undefinable." That's why we can't finish the story in the scenario I mentioned earlier. Undefineable words usually fall into one of three categories: feelings, abstract concepts and phenomena.
When I say feelings, I mean like, that sensation that washes over you the first warm day after a long, cold winter when you are driving in a car with all the windows down and radio tuned into your favorite song. Or, the feeling you get when you just get your crush's phone number and you're staring at your phone, sweating, pacing, wondering if you should start punching numbers.
Occasionally, mixed in with feelings are some abstract concepts, like the idea of strength, character, courage etc.
And I know we have all experiences some weird phenomena-type occurences that we write off as "coincidence" which is a catch-all word that doesn't really encapsulate the notion that, for example, when someone you know gets pregnant suddenly all you see are pregnant women or maternity stores or baby paraphenalia. Or, when you buy a new car you begin to notice that there are 4 of that same car within a mile of your house.
All of these things and so many more, despite the much-vaunted number the GLM is broadcasting about the English Language, simply do not have a word that really captures the essence of their true meaning.
That is, until this blog.
Your task this week, Langers, is to put a word to those notions, concepts, feelings and/or phenomena. So, first I want you to think of one of those moments--the feelings, concepts or phenomena that you personally have experienced. Then, I would like you to talk about the "synonym" that would closely describe it, even though you know in your heart that synonym doesn't do it justice. Then, in a whimsical fit of language acquistion, I want you to MAKE UP a word that would better describe what you're talking about. Hell, if Mary Poppins can do it, why can't we?
yippy [ /yip•ē/ ]
ReplyDeleteadjective : happy and jumpy for no known reason; radiant, content
I use this word a lot and have always thought it was an actual word, but I guess I made it up and just went with it. I catch myself saying, “I’m so yippy today”, a lot. The days I say this are the days I wake up jumpy and a little hyper, and I’m just happy and excited to go throughout my day. Besides being radiant or content, other synonyms for my word could be frantic and/or pumped. I feel as though the way my word sounds is appropriate for its definition, too. “Yippy” sounds like a word that would describe someone who is hyper or excited about something.
Kippernackle [ / kip•pur•nac•kle/]
ReplyDeleteAdjective: a**hole, Jerk, Etc..
I don't use this word out loud because I know it's not a real word , and it's pretty weird, but I often think it sometimes. Mostly when I'm annoyed by someone or when they say something really stupid. For example a young fellow by the name of stephron found it very entertaining to continuously pluck me in my head after my attempts of telling him to quit it . Boy was there a lot of kippernackles in that sentence. I would say " wow he's being such a Kippernackle today. Not that he isn't always this much of a Kippernackle but today he's won the award for biggest kippernackle". I like this word a lot because it gives me the satisfaction of cursing someone out without actually cursing them out. So im getting the same pleasure of the deed without actually doing the deed.
Dolazy [ /dōō•luh•zē/ ]
ReplyDeleteAdjective: the feeling when you really want to do something however are too lazy to actually do it
Synonyms: indecisive, lazy
Example: “I’m feeling very dolazy today.”
I cannot count the amount of times I’m sitting at home but would beg to go anywhere. I don’t care if it’s Target, Ulta (preferably), or even the grocery store; I just don’t want to be home. But at the same time, when I think about the amount of time it’ll actually take me to get ready and effort it will take to leave the house and go, I more than likely end up lying back in bed scrolling through the Ulta app instead. Even though I really want to be anywhere that isn’t couped up in a house, I’m too lazy to leave my bed.
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ReplyDeleteDola [ /doh•lah/ ]
ReplyDeleteAdjective: Referring to an ignorant human being: typically (but not always) in a comical way
Synonyms: dumb, stupid
Example: "I feel so dola I don't understand the homework."
I use this word because it sounds funny. I love the way it sounds when I'm being a smart ass with someone and I say "No dip dola". I feel like the word just fits in the place of dumb ass honestly. I feel like this word I've come up with just suits my goofy personality.
Gleeustered / Glee- Ust- erd /
ReplyDeleteAdjective: Joyful, Jittery
Example: When I talk to him I get gleeustered
Everyone that knows me knows that I find it hard to put certain things into words, so when I try to tell a story I would lose myself into thinking of a certain word then end up losing the person I was talking to. Or when I talk to my friends about a guy I just laugh and smile because I don’t know what words to put together. All in all I always thought I was dumb and weird for that, but reading this I realize that I’m not… and that’s a relief! It is pretty hard to make up a word to describe those feelings in a matter of a couple days, but somehow I did. My word is Gleeustered. It is glee and flustered mashed together. The definition is the feeling of happiness and nervousness at the same time, and the synonym is cheerful. Normally you’ll get flustered when you are talking to someone you like or think is cute. It’s that feeling when all you can do is smile and laugh when millions of thoughts race through your mind and overflow your brain causing your palms to become clammy. If you don’t know how to explain that feeling or put it into words use gleeustered. It sounds wacky, but so does supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
shivaget [ /shiv•uh•git\]
ReplyDeleteverb: give a shit
reason: when you’re not giving a shit
This word is used a lot by my family. Say it slow it sounds like “give a shit”, right? Yeah, that’s exactly how we use it. It could be used, when you’re getting scolded at for something stupid you could respond with “i don’t shivaget” and instantly the one scolding would laugh. Sometimes it’s my mood, “some days i really just don’t shivaget”. This word isn’t something I say aloud frequently, just something i think very often, it started with my Great Aunt Nancy and continued through the rest of the family, so if this is cheating because it’s not a word I came up with, sorry.
Hidonk [/hi - don-kuh/]
ReplyDeleteAdjective: When you know you for sure did something, but don't remember exactly doing it.
Example: (I'll use what happened to me this morning). It was around 6:46 in the morning, my room was dark because my little sister was sitting in there and the light bothered her, so the only light for me to see was the television. I was also in a rush, because my mother always told me to be 100% on the spot by exactly 6:45. So I was in a rush packing my things into my backpack. I had just gotten my braces off last Friday, so I had a retainer with me and had to carry my case everywhere. When I had finished and we all went out to the vehicle to wait at the end of our driveway for the bus, I sat there with a blank face and said, "I forgot my retainer case." The house was too far and the bus would have come by the time I got back, so there was no point. When I got onto the bus and sat down, I dug into my bag for my earbuds and suddenly bOOM I pulled out my sparkly blue retainer case. In the back of my mind I KNEW I packed it, but I have no memory of actually doing so. That's a hidonk.
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ReplyDeleteCanackle [/ca*na*kle]
ReplyDeleteAdjective: A harassing and annoying person
Synonyms: Harass, persecute, intimidate, annoying, plague
Ex: He’s such a canackle
Even though harass, persecute, and annoying are a close second to being a canackle they just don’t replace the word. A canackle can be that one friend that just doesn't know when to stop whether it’s by talking, persistently trying to make something happen, not trying to stop messing with someone or just simply being a canackle.
Lemeonce [/lem-ee-on-s/]
ReplyDeletenoun: the overwhelming feeling of peace and comfort that you get at the beach and the opening of your mind and senses it gives you.
syn: Ambedo ( a kind of melancholic trance in which you become completely absorbed in vivid sensory details—raindrops skittering down a window, tall trees leaning in the wind, clouds of cream swirling in your coffee—briefly soaking in the experience of being alive, an act that is done purely for its own sake.)
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ReplyDeleteConfuzzled [/cun•fuz•uld/]
ReplyDeleteVerb: To be so confused that you don’t even know what life is anymore
Example: Wow, this physics test actually has me so confuzzled; I wanna drop out
I tend to use this word a lot, along with the word confused. To most people they don’t see a difference between the two but I know damn well I do and it’s not fun. I can only explain to someone what confuzzled means by telling them: imagine being in your hardest class and the teacher, who probably can’t even teach the topic in the first place, try to explain to you a new lesson one day and then give you a test the next. I can tell you right now, you will be the actual definition of confuzzled, without a doubt. I know, it’s corny but I like it.
celervencedelog (sell-ER-ven-see-deh-log)
ReplyDeleteN. The phenomena when a word or words pop into your head only to immediately fade away to where you cannot find it anymore. The word that’s on the tip of your tongue to never leave your mouth since it’s no longer in your head.
When I originally did what I first wanted to for the blog I did it wrong. HOWEVER, I did manage to find inspiration for this new and improved version you’re now reading while messing up blog1.0. When trying to find words that I would mush together to create a word my brain was kicking into high gear. I felt like I had so many ideas that could become something else in my head whatever came out would be beautiful. So, since the juices were flowing I made a new doc for an OP. As soon as it was ready for this masterpiece to be born, I couldn’t find the idea anymore. All that was in my head were half sentences and lackluster concepts moving around much too fast for me to do anything with. If I were to give it a single word, I could say my ideas and inspirations were fleeting. The moment something came forth that could be worth something, it was gone. That’s the definition of fleeting right? Another way to describe something gone too soon or something that slipped through your fingers without you realizing it. Fleeting. In this situation it’s so bleh. And following your task, Ms.Bunje, I have created a new word. It is constructed of a few Latin and Greek root words: Ven-come, Log-word, Cede-go, Celer-fast.
The feeling: stepping into a crowded arena or center and seeing everyone that could be your competition. Breathing in the air, it’s usually stale if you know what I mean, and knowing it’s do or don’t today. This is what months or training has led up to. This is what years of training has led up to. If I can’t perform, then what am I? It’s a rush. It’s terrifying and wonderful. Slowly the line crawls up to the scales and you wonder if you’ll be within the parameters you wanted. It’s not the weight class that matters; it’s how you move the weight. Next, your team piles in because you are a young woman you will be the first to compete. Because you are in the expert division you will have to wait. Nerves set in. You are called to a ring for bracketing. Usually you need to fight a different weight classes and do multiple divisions or you learn only one other girl showed up and you have one shot and that’s it. You are seeing your competition. Now you wait again. Warm up near the ring, slowly you don’t want to be tired. Quick! You could be called into the match in a moments notice. You discuss a game plan. What takedown? What submission? What happens in the middle? Multiple scenarios go through your head. You’re called. You mind blanks. You don’t even recognize the person but your eyes refuse to see anything but a target. All the mental preparation for nothing. 5 minutes. That is all you get to win or lose. Then you wait again for another match or division. You are either in for gold, silver, or redemption. Bronze is a thing you have never been reduced to. Bronze is disgraceful. Then, you are either finished or up for another division or your going for ultimate. The winners circle of your division, weight is no longer a barrier. Finally, when you are done, you change into team attire but it is much more comfortable. You go to your coach and are told how you’ve really done. Medals mean nothing unless he is satisfied. You join the crowd and cheer on your teammates. Then, around 9 pm, after a 12-13 hour day of rolling, screaming, and occasional snacking and roast sessions, it’s time to eat wings. My coach will take me with his daughter, he calls us sisters, (conveniently, we’ve become best friends) home and then the cycle resets. It is a rush, a blur, filled with anxiety and impatience. It is my favorite feeling because somehow it tastes better than home ever has on my tongue. My heart is present on these days. I am happy. It’s almost like riding a rollercoaster. It is a blurahanxhap (blue-rah-angx-hap) day. Sorry the the best I could break it down.
ReplyDeleteErryuhp. [/Err•yup/]
ReplyDeletenoun. The feeling you get when you thought you were right but soon realize how unbelievably wrong you were. For example, have you ever been in a math class doing problems together and the teacher asks the class a question so you confidently shout out the worst possible wrong answer ever? This is probably when the teacher says the right answer so you just sit there and go “erryuhp.. that’s what I meant.” I picked this word because it’s something I say every single day. It’s funny to me and I usually laugh at the word to get rid of the shame for embarrassing myself (I do it quite often). I could be walking down the hallway one afternoon and turn to my friend to say how “hot” the hallway is but as soon as we walk into the classroom?- erryuhp there goes the cold air. The word is a combination of “Err” which is not an actual word but people say it when they are thinking about something or when they are second guessing themselves (Ex. I have a calc test today.. err.. maybe tomorrow) similar to “or.” The other half of the word is “Yuhp” AKA- yup. This is not a word either but it means to agree. When both words are put together it basically means you were wrong (err) but you accept your stupidness for what it is (yup).
coastirred /ˈkōstər•d/
ReplyDeleteSynonyms: overwhelmed, mediocre, stressed
Adjective
I will be the first person to say “life is like a roller coaster”, because it is, life is filled with ups, downs and unexpected twists and turns. Right now I’m in a place where I’ve always wanted to be; I’m in the highest level at dance and I’m “good student” because I’ve received the distinguished varsity scholar award and I have a chance to be inducted into NHS which . Like, from far away my life looks great, I’m a strong dancer and student (and hey I can also throw a lit party). However, anyone who knows me and has a closer view of my life will tell you that I’m a mess. I don’t have it together at all but that’s part of life, yanno? I’m molding into the person I’ve always wanted to be however it’s not as easy as I imagined. I wouldn’t say my life sucks because I’ve come along way, but my life certainly isn’t a breeze, i’m stressed and overwhelmed and trying really hard to be the girl I want to be. Coastirred is how I’d describe this feeling, because I’m just riding life’s roller coaster, complete with ups and downs.
Ugggghhh there is a “which” in there that I missed my bad
DeleteLittyzitty (adj)
ReplyDelete(Lih-dee-zih-dee)
The excitement one feels upon approaching the night one plans on getting dumb litty
Synonyms: excited, feverish
Example: “Yo bro I’ve been littyzitty for the past 3 days for these spring break parties.”
What inspired to make this word is the feeling I have right now. I am planning on getting dumb lit soon and I am very excited. But this unique excitement only comes from this sort of situation so I had to make a word specifically for it.
Phizer [/Fee-e-zer/]
ReplyDeleteAdjective: The moment when you want to say something rude, but you don’t feel want to cause problems in the future.
People are always trying to start stuff with people endlessly, and sometimes you want to say something to them, but will that resolve anything, usually not. It can make you feel good for the moment, but in the end it’s not. So that moment when you resist all the urge to say the rudest crap ever your don’t because you don’t want to cause trouble later that’s a Phizer.