Add some whimsy to your life
Word Nerd is an on-going feature that shares and highlights unique, whimsical and sometimes forgotten or overlooked words. It’s dedicated to the logophile in us all.
Elysian is a blissful, divine state of being. Elysian comes from classical Greek Mythology in the form of Elysium or Elysian Fields or the abode of the blessed after death. In this form, Elysian was first used around 1579. Elysian used as an adjective describing a blissful, peaceful state was first used in Shakespeare's Henry… Continue reading Word Nerd: Elysian
Anadem is a wreath or a garland for the head. Anadem is an archaic word first used around 1598 that derives from the Greek anadēma which is a combination of anadein (to wreath) and ana- +dein (to bind). Anadem is an incredibly rare word in these modern times, though with the popularity of flower crowns… Continue reading Word Nerd: Anadem
Vernorexia is the feeling of romance that comes with the arrival of springtime. Vernorexia is derived from vernal (of or relating to the spring) and -orexia (desire or appetite as specified by the initial element). Vernorexia (pronounced virn-O-rex-se-ya) is a very newly created word so far as I can tell. I stumbled upon it via… Continue reading Word Nerd: Vernorexia
Ombrifuge is something that provides protection from the rain; specifically an umbrella. Ombrifuge derives from ombro (indicating rain) - and ombro is from the Greek ombros (shower of rain) - and fuge (expelling or dispelling either a specified thing or in a specified way) - and fuge derives from the Latin fugare(cause to flee). Ombrifuge… Continue reading Word Nerd: Ombrifuge
Slainte means health in Irish and Scottish Gaelic. Sláinte is derived from the old Irish slán (safe or healthy) and the suffix tu .FYI, slán also means advantageous and can also be linked to the Latin salus (health) and the German selig (blessed), neat, huh?! Sláinte is pronounced like slawn-che and it's most commonly used… Continue reading Word Nerd: Sláinte
Fernweh (pronounced feirn-vay) means a longing for far-off places. Fernweh is a German word that combines fern (far) and weh (pain, misery, woe). Fernweh is that ache you can feel when you long to travel and explore distant places. Fernweh is when you miss somewhere you've never been, yet yearn for. Fernweh is a desire… Continue reading Word Nerd: Fernweh
