Words for Things That Have No Name

Words for Things That Have No Name

Some experiences are so specific, so quietly human, that language passed them by.

Not because they are rare. Because they are so common they became invisible. Part of the furniture of being alive that no one thought to label.

Other languages found words for these. English mostly didn't.

This is an ongoing series. Each post takes one word and holds it up to the light. Not as a vocabulary lesson. As a recognition. Here is the name for the thing you have felt and never been able to say.

You already know these feelings. You just didn't have the words yet. Click on each for the blog

The Series

Hüzün

 Habseligkeiten

Oubaitori

 Uitwaaien

 Skototropism

 Automnesia

 Cryptomnesia

 Ariadne

 Hulali

 Yūgen

(This page is updated as new entries are published.)