Yes! I recently took a course taught by a top storyteller. The idea of show don’t tell was emphasized and very freeing as well. We can’t pin-down every moving thing or take the stinger out everything, ya know? lol
What a wonderful post! I've always loved the old expression "journey proud" where you are about to take a trip but your mind and imagination have already departed and are in flight well before your physical self goes anywhere. :)
These are just wonderful, Nadia. I love finding out new worlds from around the world, especially ones so poetic as these.
I love the little witty asides and thoughts you include with each one. This made me laugh (out loud, no less): This also never happened except in my mind’s eye.
And this, oh please do write this story!
There’s a story to be written about a sunless day that feels like thick, eerie silence, with spirits and shadows dancing, unseen. But, kaamos isn’t so sinister.
Thank you so much, Nathan! This had a different starting point, but I thought, why don’t I surprise the readers. Haha. I also think there’s a story about kaamos. And I personally think you’d be the perfect storyteller for it!
Wonderful list! I love your creative flare and the way you let yourself lilt and play with the way you elucidate each word. Oh I was such a pochemuchka! Still am. Does that make me the Italian thing with the zazz….er, wait, I can’t see it in this frame! Bless you for bring a light touch to language and living! I love your reflections on silence too…and the witty line come to late. That used to be me when I was younger!
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful reading and commentary, Alicia! I’m so delighted this post resonated with you. I stopped being a pochemuchka myself at some point, but now I’m always wondering, pondering, questioning, theorizing.
I am glad you are in WONDER again...I suppose there is a differenced between nagging an adult who doesn't know the answer and being intentionally impetuous and loving the innocent "why" that is innate to childlike wonder. But I do think children are onto adults who simply accept what they are told and go into a a bit of a "bzzzt" or a cognitive dissonance when asked to reflect on why something is considered to be an established "Just because it is" rather than inquiring more deeply. It's more than an "I don't want to be bothered." It is a glitch in the matrix to be asked to question what is considered "just how it is" - the a-priori assumptions that aren't supposed to be examined for origin or etymology or underlying assumptions that might change the answer or our relationship to that answer and its implications.
You’re so right. We have a lot of that nowadays, not questioning because it’s just how it is. I learn a lot from my husband to be more inquisitive and probing, he who is always asking questions and trying to see from the other side. I also think it’s positive to not be stuck in one idea because so many people have figured it out to be this way as there’s always two sides to one coin, and I’m especially skeptical when a majority is vocal about something and set on it being 100%, when like I previously mentioned, nothing is set in stone, and science is an ever evolving hypothesis.
“Nothing is set in stone…” as you said that i thought, “even stone.” Even stone gets pulverized or carved or gently (or a rush of wild torrent) worn down or molded anew by waters.
it sounds like you are a natural born inquisitive one but your husband is helping you awaken to it as an adult. It’s wonderful that you are open to discovering new aspects and ways of looking at things together! What you said about being skeptical about the majority is so interesting, because itself it points to that the majority is controlled. In a healthy system, the majority would be operating on health and would likely have a rage of views that support the health of individuals and communities and the whole/wholes of which they are a part…yet when this is almost universally not the case from ANY side, it does beg deep questions. To state it one way.
Exactly! When you go into the wild and observe rocks, they’re all different. He for sure helped me. It’s funny, when he interacts with others he either gets “I never saw it that way until now.” or frustrated groans when there’s a charged conversation. Then the pandemic we went through opened my eyes to a lot of things that shouldn’t have been done to the society in the first place. And yes, you’re right about a range of differing voices. When I hear buzz words in guise of opinions, I can tell this is group think (I was there once too). Doesn’t matter what side, it seeps in everywhere.
I feel like I've just travelled the world. What a fun and lovely collection!
In Danish, there is the word "smørhul," ("butter hole") which refers to the small dent that a scoop of butter makes when placed on a portion of rice porridge. Its cultural meaning is "a nice and safe place to be."
I love this so much Nadia! Going to save it so I can review it weekly. And your commentary on each was so fun. Chuchoter is one I may have to adopt on the daily, and literal “head movie” made me laugh out loud. Now let’s write a sentence using all of them together.:)
Haha. This time I decided to spice it up with personal anecdotes and thoughts. I’m glad you enjoyed these. These words will have a great party all together!
I discovered a word a few weeks ago, you might like it. Apricity - the warmth of winter light. It’s not used much anymore but ever since I learned it, all I see is the apricot tones of a winter sun!
This was a cool post 👍🏼 #10. Spookasem
Isn't it so cool?
Yes
Yes! I recently took a course taught by a top storyteller. The idea of show don’t tell was emphasized and very freeing as well. We can’t pin-down every moving thing or take the stinger out everything, ya know? lol
Haha exactly. And if your focus is on fairy tales, you can be creative and more restrained with it. I hope the course was enlightening!
Definitely was. The more I learn about fairy tales the more I think adults could really use a refresh
I absolutely agree. When you can write for both children and adults, it’s quite fulfilling. We always need universal messages.
What a wonderful post! I've always loved the old expression "journey proud" where you are about to take a trip but your mind and imagination have already departed and are in flight well before your physical self goes anywhere. :)
Oh my goodness, I love that, Alisa! That's quite relatable. Sorry for being MIA, I'll be catching up with your work soon! Hugs!
French has "L'esprit de l'escalier" which pretty much covers the same ground as #3, but I think "trepverter" sounds better.
A fun piece, Nadia, welcome back and I hope you're well.
Yes, I know that one. The spirit of the stairway! Thank you so much, A.P.!
Nadia!
David!!!
Gnäudijä!!!
These are just wonderful, Nadia. I love finding out new worlds from around the world, especially ones so poetic as these.
I love the little witty asides and thoughts you include with each one. This made me laugh (out loud, no less): This also never happened except in my mind’s eye.
And this, oh please do write this story!
There’s a story to be written about a sunless day that feels like thick, eerie silence, with spirits and shadows dancing, unseen. But, kaamos isn’t so sinister.
Thank you so much, Nathan! This had a different starting point, but I thought, why don’t I surprise the readers. Haha. I also think there’s a story about kaamos. And I personally think you’d be the perfect storyteller for it!
I beg to differ, I think you are. ;)
We're just going to have to politely disagree or both write that story! Haha!
Haha! ;)
Wonderful list! I love your creative flare and the way you let yourself lilt and play with the way you elucidate each word. Oh I was such a pochemuchka! Still am. Does that make me the Italian thing with the zazz….er, wait, I can’t see it in this frame! Bless you for bring a light touch to language and living! I love your reflections on silence too…and the witty line come to late. That used to be me when I was younger!
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful reading and commentary, Alicia! I’m so delighted this post resonated with you. I stopped being a pochemuchka myself at some point, but now I’m always wondering, pondering, questioning, theorizing.
I am glad you are in WONDER again...I suppose there is a differenced between nagging an adult who doesn't know the answer and being intentionally impetuous and loving the innocent "why" that is innate to childlike wonder. But I do think children are onto adults who simply accept what they are told and go into a a bit of a "bzzzt" or a cognitive dissonance when asked to reflect on why something is considered to be an established "Just because it is" rather than inquiring more deeply. It's more than an "I don't want to be bothered." It is a glitch in the matrix to be asked to question what is considered "just how it is" - the a-priori assumptions that aren't supposed to be examined for origin or etymology or underlying assumptions that might change the answer or our relationship to that answer and its implications.
You’re so right. We have a lot of that nowadays, not questioning because it’s just how it is. I learn a lot from my husband to be more inquisitive and probing, he who is always asking questions and trying to see from the other side. I also think it’s positive to not be stuck in one idea because so many people have figured it out to be this way as there’s always two sides to one coin, and I’m especially skeptical when a majority is vocal about something and set on it being 100%, when like I previously mentioned, nothing is set in stone, and science is an ever evolving hypothesis.
“Nothing is set in stone…” as you said that i thought, “even stone.” Even stone gets pulverized or carved or gently (or a rush of wild torrent) worn down or molded anew by waters.
it sounds like you are a natural born inquisitive one but your husband is helping you awaken to it as an adult. It’s wonderful that you are open to discovering new aspects and ways of looking at things together! What you said about being skeptical about the majority is so interesting, because itself it points to that the majority is controlled. In a healthy system, the majority would be operating on health and would likely have a rage of views that support the health of individuals and communities and the whole/wholes of which they are a part…yet when this is almost universally not the case from ANY side, it does beg deep questions. To state it one way.
Exactly! When you go into the wild and observe rocks, they’re all different. He for sure helped me. It’s funny, when he interacts with others he either gets “I never saw it that way until now.” or frustrated groans when there’s a charged conversation. Then the pandemic we went through opened my eyes to a lot of things that shouldn’t have been done to the society in the first place. And yes, you’re right about a range of differing voices. When I hear buzz words in guise of opinions, I can tell this is group think (I was there once too). Doesn’t matter what side, it seeps in everywhere.
What a beautiful collection, Nadia!!
Thank you so much, Priya! I hope the new year is going well for you! Much love.
Happy 2025 to you too!
Thank you so much!
I love this whispering of words and meanings from around the globe. My own favorite is the English "susurrate."
That is such a lovely word! Very whispery!
Kaamos sounds like a dream! "Picture dark days of blues and reds, neon green auroras flashing you into a trance." Yes please. Who needs the sun? ;)
The sun is overrated lol. Thank you for being here, my dear. <3
Thanks so much for sharing this. What a wonderful post.
Thanks so much, Vince!
Wonderful, thank you Nadia.
I feel like I've just travelled the world. What a fun and lovely collection!
In Danish, there is the word "smørhul," ("butter hole") which refers to the small dent that a scoop of butter makes when placed on a portion of rice porridge. Its cultural meaning is "a nice and safe place to be."
Wow. Hasse. That’s so beautiful and cozy. Thanks so much for sharing!
I love this so much Nadia! Going to save it so I can review it weekly. And your commentary on each was so fun. Chuchoter is one I may have to adopt on the daily, and literal “head movie” made me laugh out loud. Now let’s write a sentence using all of them together.:)
Haha. This time I decided to spice it up with personal anecdotes and thoughts. I’m glad you enjoyed these. These words will have a great party all together!
I discovered a word a few weeks ago, you might like it. Apricity - the warmth of winter light. It’s not used much anymore but ever since I learned it, all I see is the apricot tones of a winter sun!
Oooooooooooooooh! That is a delicious word. The winter sun can be too much sometimes (me want fog and clouds lol), but also full of lovely shades.
What a list!
Thank you, Mary!
This is a fascinating post. I've liked the word woebegone.
Me too! It’s quite contradictory but interesting.