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.
Kontal-Kontil is the swinging of long earrings or the swishing of a dress as one walks. Kontal-Kontil is an Indonesian term that has no direct English counterpart, which is a real shame. Poetic words from other languages like kontal-kontil are one of my favorite things. It shows both the limits of the English language and the… Continue reading Word Nerd: Kontal-Kontil
Luciferous means providing light, illumination or providing insight or enlightenment. Luciferous originated in 1640-50 and derives from the Latin lucifer (morning star, literally, light-bringing) and -ous (possessing, full of). Luciferous quite obviously has a tie with Lucifer, the fallen archangel. Lucifer was a light bringer before the fall and, as some believe, because of the… Continue reading Word Nerd: Luciferous
Joyance is a joyous feeling or festivity. Joyance is an archaic term first used in the 1590's that combines joy and -ance (a quality or state in this instance). Joyance is a delightful, engaging term that means exactly what it is - a joyous, gladsome feeling. Joyance personified / that is my goal/ a sense… Continue reading Word Nerd: Joyance
Ipseity means selfhood or self identity. Ipseity derives from the Latin ipse (self). Ipseity is the quality and nature of being oneself. It so many words, ipseity is the quintessential element of identity. We each of us posses ipseity and can define and identify our unique individuality by our ipseity. Ipseity means self, identity, nature… Continue reading Word Nerd: Ipseity
Querencia means home, a favorite spot. Querencia can also mean the part of a bullring where the bull takes its stand, however I much prefer the metaphysical concept. Querencia derives from the Spanish verb querer (to desire) which derives from the Latin quaerere (seek, gain, obtain). Combined these provide the base for the concept of… Continue reading Word Nerd: Querencia
Estival means of or pertaining to the summer and Aestival is a variant of estival. Estival and Aestival both derive from the Latin aestīv(us) (of summer). The 21st of June is the official start of the Summer season in the Eastern Hemisphere and what better way to mark it then by discovering the word Aestival?… Continue reading Word Nerd : Aestival or Estival
