Exploring New Words and Concepts: A Literary Journey
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Chapter 1: Introduction to New Vocabulary
Welcome to the latest installment of our exploration into fresh words and phrases, which have been gathered during excursions into the expansive realms of literature and media. This collection is designed to entertain, inform, and enlighten you. While these terms may be new to me, you might already be familiar with some or all of them. If so, feel free to enjoy my lack of knowledge—there's always more to discover! Challenge yourself and see how many of these words you recognize!
Chapter 2: Word Definitions and Context
Haptic — This adjective pertains to the sense of touch, especially concerning the perception and manipulation of objects through tactile feedback. As a noun, it refers to technology that simulates the sensations of touch and movement, particularly in remote operations or computer simulations.
I encountered this term during a conversation about the sounds produced by a mobile device when icons are tapped. After upgrading my phone to stay current, I'm finding it challenging to navigate due to my age!
boondoggle — Defined as an unnecessary or wasteful venture, this term appeared in the book “Wild: A Journey From Lost to Found” by Cheryl Strayed, which I am currently reading.
karoshi — A Japanese term that translates to "death from overwork," used in an article by Rui Alves titled:
I Didn’t Just Burn Out — People Die from Overwork
Did you know that the Japanese have a specific term for work-related deaths?
loquat — A sizeable evergreen tree or shrub cultivated for its orange fruit and leaves, which are used to make herbal tea. This plant, belonging to the Rosaceae family, is originally from the cooler hill regions of south-central China. I learned about this fruit when my daughter spotted it growing in Portugal, despite its different continental roots.
sarsaparilla — This noun refers to a preparation made from the dried roots of various plants, notably smilax, used to flavor drinks and medicines, and previously as a tonic. An article by Mike Sansone highlights this term:
I Wish I Could Write Like That
She shares thoughts that resonate with mine — A 15 Days, 15 Stories inquiry.
FOGO — An acronym for "fear of growing old," Bob Jasper offers strategies to overcome it in this article:
Conquering Our Fear of Getting Old
FOGO is a genuine concern, but it can be defeated.
For a lighter topic, those who enjoy the French language might appreciate an article by Sarah Gall, featuring a delightful mix of English and French poetry:
For The Language Nerds Among You
A collection of poems blending English and French.
I trust you found this assortment enjoyable. Please feel free to share your favorite new words in the comments section. Thank you for reading!
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Chapter 3: Previous Installments
- Part 59: Insomnolent Zentangles
- Part 58: Acrophobia and a Near-Death Experience
- Part 57: Hyperphantasic Lycanthropy
- Part 56: Yexing Vortfreude and Axolotls
- Part 55: Kewl Bafflegab
- Part 54: A Proustian Potpourri
- Part 53: Findom and Biblioklepting
- Part 52: Bump the Lamp with a Drabble Dabble
- Part 51: Blitzscaling Rishession
- Part 50: A Gallimaufry of Particitrousers
- Part 49: Kvetching, Habit Stacking, and Loud Budgeting
- Part 48: Flex Your Rizz Bruv
- Part 47: Bikeshedding Navvy Gravvy
- Part 46: Astraphobic Badonkadonk
- Part 45: Ergophobic Humdudgeon
- Part 44: Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobic Longiloquence
- Part 43: Stravaiging Shiznit
- Part 42: Model Collapse And Dezinformatsiya
- Part 41: A Flapdoodle of Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly
- Part 40: Mulesing, Merkins, Quislings, Tallywags And Refoulment
- Part 39: Blowing Off The Hinky Cobwebs
- Part 38: A Dreich Case Of Psychoterratic Solastalgia
- Part 37: A Cockamamie Collection Of Highkey Zhuzh
- Part 36: Keggers, Kerning, Çay and Crickets
- Part 35: Murmuring Judges and Anhedonia
- Part 34: A Quomodocunquizing Borborygmus
- Part 33: Going Monk Mode In Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu
- Part 32: Turpitudinous Tourons
- Part 31: Hurkle Durkle, Medicanes And Misophonia
- Part 30: Immortal Earworms
- Part 29: Government On The RAAC
- Part 28: Saved by a Deus Ex Machina
- Part 27: Pre-Lapsarian Yakers
- Part 26: Fegans, Jorts, Rababs And Scotch Bonnets
- Part 25: Fissiparous Hegemony
- Part 24: Lollygag And Booktok
- Part 23: Patronymics And Samovars
- Part 22: Medium Is No Chronofage If YRMIRY
- Part 21: Everything Is Eellogofusciouhipoppokunurious
- Part 20: Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia And The Matthew Effect
- Part 19: A Nappuccino And Some Typo-Squatting
- Part 18: Yeeting Detritovres
- Part 17: An Inverted Pyramid Of Piffle On The Bed Of Procrustes
- Part 16: Having The Jones And Partisan Acrimony
- Part 15: Spycops In The Boondocks
- Part 14: Harlots, Stochastic Parrots, And The Devil’s Cufflinks
- Part 13: The Things We Make Exceptional
- Part 12: “Semper Fidelis” And Semantic Symbiosis
- Part 11: Heliophobic Hikikomori
- Part 10: Lenticular Clouds And Peque Peques
- Part 9: Big Red Boots And Nepo Babies
- Part 8: A Patina Of Smilies
- Part 7: Atavistic Frou Frou
- Part 6: Mouth Breathers And Pearl Clutchers
- Part 5: The Lexophile’s Latest List
- Part 4: Revenge of the Word Collector
- Part 3: An Etymological Extravaganza
- Part 2: Return of The Word Collector
- Part 1: A Moment In The Sun