Concepts we need words for in English

Posted by Aug 25, 2021 Entertainment, Stuff I Wonder 2 Comments

There are some incredibly delightful concepts captured by words in other languages that don’t really exist in English.

For example:

  • Schadenfreude (German) – taking enjoyment in the misfortunes of others.
  • Iktsuarpok (Inuit) – the frustration of waiting for someone to show up.
  • Treppenwitz (German) – when you think of an awesome comeback after it’s far too late to say it.
  • Backpfeifengesicht (German) – a face that’s begging for a slapping.
  • Mencolek (Indonesian) – when you tap someone on the opposite shoulder to get them to look the other way.
  • See more very awesome words in a variety of languages here or here or here

Side note: how am I not German? I cannot even count the number of times I have schadenfreuded or treppenwitzed or said someone Backpfeifengesichted.

I feel to my core that the word Backpfeifengesicht was 100% invented with faces like this in mind. Fuck this guy!
Photograph: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Desperately seeking new words

But there are some concepts I don’t think there are words for in any language. The following are desperately in need of their own words:

  1. The time you spend scrolling through multiple streaming services trying to pick something to watch
  2. The frustration of traffic lights that are timed so you hit every fucking red light
  3. The disillusionment of seeing someone you watched on TV/movies growing up now play the parents/grandparents in shows you watch
  4. When you walk into another room and forgot why you walked into that room
  5. When you go on your phone, get distracted by a notification and then forget why you got on your phone in the first place
  6. The relief you feel when you finally take off a bra
  7. When you feel like you’re going to sneeze, but then you don’t sneeze (it’s the nasal equivalent of “blue balls,” no?)
  8. When food is so good that you instinctively close your eyes just to taste it and enjoy it more deeply

If you have ideas for what these words could be, let me know. I am sure if we come up with something and put it on TikTok along with a hack about how to cut a mango, we will have our new words in Merriam-Webster by end of year.

2 comments on “Concepts we need words for in English”

  1. I love this post so much! And I know I’m on the late show with this but I think you would enjoy the “Ologies” podcast, if you aren’t already listening. And please let me know if you come up with more concepts in need of words!

    • I haven’t heard of it but I just looked it up and saw there was an episode called “sparklebuttology” about fireflies and that sounds tremendously up my alley! Thank you!

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