Talking about words

Otherwise known as word por*.

It’s not really por*ographic at all. Calm down. It’s a silly phrase invented by people on the internet to hashtag or reference a word or phrase that strikes a chord within them. Also known as voicing an unpopular opinion or interesting fact without actually being the one to do it – in other words, being able to share a thought or opinion that might offend your mother or boss, but with the “I didn’t say it myself, I was just quoting it.” excuse. Make sense?

Here are some examples:

Galere: (n) a group of undesirable people (French origin). Everyone wants to use this word, or at the least can think of one instance in which it would work brilliantly. Posting it fills that need without actually doing it and being labelled mean.

Logolepsy: (n) an obsession with words. Who, me?

Tatemae: (n) what a person pretends to believe; the behavior and opinions one must display to satisfy society’s demands (Japanese origin). We all know someone, maybe ourselves even, who goes along with what his/her peers opine. We don’t like it but we do it. It’s liberating to stick this word out there, out of context, floating on a page – it says that we know it’s done, we’re aware, and we’re not falling for it. Or we are falling for it but by showing we know we’re falling for it, means we’re not really that daft. Got it? Moving on.

“A lion doesn’t lose sleep over the opinion of sheep” A popular one. Also a popular subtweet on just about any kind of social media one can think of. I don’t give a monkeys what you think about me – I’m a lion, you’re a sheep (a follower, one who can’t think for himself or even worse, my prey).

“Fuck normal, you can have that” Author unknown. A belief held by many. Normal is boring, don’t be one of the crowd, the same as everyone else. Please be forgiving when I am a bit psycho. This is also a good example of being able to use a rude word with impunity. The word “normal” should come with a warning.

Here we have a quote by a respected author, CS Lewis: “Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of Brave Knights and Heroic Courage”. Harkens back to the old days where story books were full of knights slaying dragons and saving damsels in distress. Long before Nintendo, Playstation and other electronic crap, we had real stories and fairytales etc. I like this one because it relieves my guilt at giving my boy castles, knights, horses and dragons instead of superheroes.

Capernoited: (adj) peeved; tipsy or slightly intoxicated. It sounds good. That’s all.

“Work is good provided you do not forget to live” (Bantu proverb). This is almost the perfect way of saying a big FU to those who always have to be working more/harder than you. It says a subtle “I’m living whilst you are working away and missing out on life. You big fat loser.” Utterly passive-aggressive but with undertones of Buddhism and zen (so it MUST be true).

“Stop the glorification of busy”. Oh this is a good one. It does two things: 1) Being too busy is not good for us (health and wellbeing). The kind and thoughtful angle, if you like. 2) You’re so full of BS. You’re not that busy and I call you out on your nonsense. It’s similar to telling someone that if they’re still working at 8pm, it’s because they’re disorganized during regular hours – and that their job isn’t all that. Ouch.

Ignoranus: (n) someone who is both ignorant and an arsehole (Origin: universal). Needs no further explanation.

Turophile: (n) cheese lover. Wouldn’t it be fun to drop that into conversation. Lovely buffet spread, I’m a turophile. Watch people step back and freak out. Anything with –phile on the end scares folk.

Tacenda: (n) things better left unsaid; matters to be passed over in silence. Origin: English. I love this one, because I think it’s rubbish. Speak your mind. Politely, of course.

Nelipot (n): one who walks barefoot. Ask anyone what a nelipot is and I guarantee they’ll say it’s a teapot contraption to stick up the nose that cures sinusitis.

Charientism: (n) an artfully veiled insult. After you’ve dropped said artfully veiled insult, you say “what a charientism, good evening” turn on your heel and leave immediately, hopefully having confused your prey who now thinks you’re incredibly intelligent and a user of lovely, clever words.

Aubade: (n) a love song sung at dawn (French origin). Probably by a feathered creature, ie a bird. Doubtful it’s referring to a human. Mariachis tend to work during the evenings. Also a very nice lingerie company.

Galeanthropy: (n) the belief you are a cat. Because all people love cats deep down, so this strikes a chord. Yes you do, and yes it does.

Music: (n) the poetry of human expression through sound in time. Sounds terribly intellectual and deep, no? Perfect to quote in a letter to someone you want to impress (and have sex with).

So there we have it. A small selection of my favourite word por*.

Elaine

PS: It’s educational. Learn a new word or phrase every day. Ahem.