Padmum has decided to keep feeding me information so that I can blog about the English language.
Here is the latest link that she sent me without comment but, I know, with the silent command, “go forth and blog” accompanying it.
I for one, am richer for at least coming to know about all these personality traits though, I doubt very much that I will ever use any one of the words in any future communication.
This was interesting. As I read all the words and their meanings I imagined how they would apply to people and situations I know.
After i read it I wandered off down the internet rabbit hole and found this article which talks about a rather beautiful idea:
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20181015-how-one-bench-and-a-team-of-grandmothers-can-beat-depression
When I came across the bench and grandmother story on BBC, the first thing that I did was to send a link to my psychiatrist. In case you are wondering, I am not a lunatic but, went through a phase of clinical depression a few years ago and this wonderful man cured me in no time at all.
Some very useful words there. I’m a bit of a mimoso myself. I love hugging and kissing people and I’m puzzled by people who shy away from physical contact.
The Friendship Bench programme is brilliant. Good to see recognition that elderly grannies aren’t just a waste of space but can provide a valuable service to the community alongside the health professionals.
I am a classic pantofolaio!
It’s a little early in the morning for me to be torturing my brain about word meanings—but at least I know I’m not a pantofolaio. That’s such a relief! What an imaginative post, Rummuser! You always make us think!
I take great pride in being a pantofolaio! What a way to live! Thank you for the compliment. It is nice to be appreciated.
this post and the link are wonderful. I always enjoy learning how we are all different throughout the world. in our land of excess in everything… I found it interesting to know there is no word to equate to the Scandinavian word Lagom!
maybe if it were more part of our culture we wouldn’t be known for such wastefulness.
I went on to read more articles plus the link shared by Kylie about the grandmothers and the bench. how beautiful.
I only wish that I had a memory to be able to use these words and share with others in my normal conversations / communications.
Fun article – I like when a another language has a particular word for something much longer in English. Like the Norwegian “utepils” which means “enjoying a beer outside in the sun.”
I too like to learn about other cultures and their languages that can accommodate descriptions. India is a multilingual nation and offers much scope for such learning.
and I believe it’s not only “words” but cultural kind of localised words, that cause others to “say what?”
I’ve been away this last week, yesterday at breakfast an American asked about the small packets of Marmite. “Should I try it on my toast…?” Me replying “put a smidgen on one corner and try it before you go gang-ho all over the toast, as it’s an acquired taste”. He opens the package and says “I know that smell…but I can’t quite place it”. His wife can’t smell anything. I then suggest maybe put a smidgen on a spoon. They end up not trying it…shame really.
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I have come across similar situations with Indian food in restaurants when neighbours have asked what I was eating. Can be disconcerting but, I always take pains to explain.
Interesting to think about why these languages felt a need to create the words they do, but other languages do not, as with our English. Nothing to prevent us from producing such English words is there?
No, but, I suspect that we would rather pontificate!
Ha!