Word O’ Day

Yes, it’s true:  Today’s WOD is, while keeping with the theme of non-English words, a Herculean example of words at their finest: Mamihlapinatapai.

Mamihlapinatapai, a noun from the Yaghan language of Tierra del Fuego, is one of the world’s most difficult words to translate.  Roughly, it means a look, shared by two people, wherein each wishes that the other would initiate something that they both desire, but which neither wants to instigate.  Given its obscenely specific definition, it was awarded ‘most succinct word’ by Guinness World Records.  Take that, antidisestablishmentarianism!

One more cup of Usage ‘fore I go:  The two happened upon each other in one of the villa’s more secluded parks just before midnight, neither having realized it was the other’s preferred place to ponder existence when insomnia took hold, the scene was awash in alluring darkness, and as they stared into each other, pulses racing, perspiration glistening, the mamihlapinatapai palpable, it seemed that neither would be able to wrangle the courage to initiate the coalescence for which they both so desperately yearned.

What is that Ronald’s problem?  Maybe he should listen to former Los Angeles Lakers star and inspirational point guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who, for some reason, said, “You’re the only one who can make the difference.  Whatever your dream is, go for it.”  Maybe we all ought to take a page out of Mr. Johnson’s book, yes?

Salud,

-Eric

Holler,

What is with this “pre-heating” concept? Why can’t we all just heat our ovens? Anyway, that’s relatively unimportant, as the real issue at hand is today’s WOD, which was suggested by a dear friend, and also happens to be incredible, despite not really being English: Pubusi.

Pubusi is, according our good friends at the New York Times, a verb, and evoker of an unusual tradition on the Pacific island nation of Kiribati. There, a person is required to grant any request for a physical object or good when the word is uttered (”Tom, won’t you pubusi me that delicious artichoke?” “Damn it,” Tom replied, disheartened). According to the Times’ account, failure to give up the object in question would result in public disgrace: Link to Article

It is pronounced poo-boo-see.

Time waits for no Usage: Henrietta was growing weary of Ronald’s seemingly unflagging enthusiasm for pubusi, which he had acquired, despite appearing to have lost everything else, on his recent jaunt to the tiny Pacific island nation of Kiribati.

Please feel free to suggest an alternative usage!

All best,

-Eric

Hey, you there!  Hi!

If I had a nickel for every time I saw someone get hit by a car, I would have two nickels.  Speaking of getting hit by cars, today’s eagerly anticipated Word O’ Day is a tremendous non sequitur:  Gambol.

Gambol, a jubilant noun, is an act of running, jumping or frisking about in a playful manner.  It’s pronounced gam-buhl, and is from early 16th century Italian.  Hooray.

The Usage in the Willows:  Even though Ronald had not told her directly, upon learning that he harbored romantic feelings for her, Henrietta embarked upon an ebullient gambol which spanned not only the majority of the city, but the entirety of the beautiful spring afternoon.  Oh rather!

By the way, yo mama so Anarcho-Capitalist, even thought leader and outspoken proponent David D. Friedman won’t join her World of Warcraft guild! BOOYA!

P.S. – That took about 40 minutes of serious research, so enjoy it.

Howdy,

Today’s WOD, a true treat, if I do say so myself, was made popular by our great country’s 29th President, Warren G. Harding, who died infamously of, “A stroke of apoplexy.”  The word is Bloviate.

Bloviate, a verb, means to speak, generally at length, in a pompous or boastful manner.  It is from pseudo Latin, but again, is an Americanism.  It is pronounced bloh-vee-eyt (That’s Harding demonstrating below).

One Sweet Usage:  Ronald, usually tolerant enough to listen to his bumptious companions bloviate on such important issues as starvation and political corruption, had clearly succumb to Henrietta’s influence, and now felt the practice was a loathsome chore.

Merry day! More another time.

-Eric

I hope everyone had a divine holiday.  I’ve got a splendid word for you as you head back to the office, or what have you:  Parvenu.

Parvenu can be a noun or an adjective, and is from the French.  As a noun, it means a person who has recently and suddenly either acquired wealth or come into a position of social prominence, but who has not yet gained acceptance with the corresponding upper class (usually because their mannerisms have not yet acclimated).  So, someone who won the lottery could fall under the definition.

In adjectival form, it means pertaining to such a rise in wealth or circumstance.  It is pronounced pahr-vuh-noo.

The Usages at night… Are big and bright… While Henrietta was perceived by many members of the clergy to be a parvenu, her apparent coarseness was intentional; not from any lack of experience with haughty conduct.

That Henrietta is such a sly boots.

Tip of that hat to you,

-Eric