Karoshi: (kah-ro-shi) noun: A term without an English equivalent that is used in English-speaking circles just the same. Karoshi is a Japanese term that describes a death occurring from overwork. The idea is that certain physical ailments that bring about death in a person can be directly attributed to overwork.
"Most people in the publishing industry are in grave danger of karoshi."
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Xenology
Xenology: zee-no-lo-ji (noun): The study of extraterrestrial life.
Despite the word's similarity to Xenu, the name given to an extraterrestrial tyrant who wishes to enslave humanity according to L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology, the word comes from the Greek: xenos means a foreigner or outsider and λογος (logos) meaning reasoning or explanation.
"I receive a number of proposals for books from those with an interest in xenology, but unfortunately we do not publish in that arena."
Despite the word's similarity to Xenu, the name given to an extraterrestrial tyrant who wishes to enslave humanity according to L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology, the word comes from the Greek: xenos means a foreigner or outsider and λογος (logos) meaning reasoning or explanation.
"I receive a number of proposals for books from those with an interest in xenology, but unfortunately we do not publish in that arena."
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Nelipot
Nelipot (nel-ee-pot) noun: A person who walks without shoes
During the Summer of Love, San Francisco's Golden Gate Park was full of hippies and other smelly nelipots.
During the Summer of Love, San Francisco's Golden Gate Park was full of hippies and other smelly nelipots.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Phlyarologist
Phlyarologist:(fly-ar-olo-jist) noun: Someone who speaks complete nonsense or gibberish.
"The wide range of topics you address with absolutely no authority in any of them has convinced me that you are truly an accomplished phlyarologist!"
"The wide range of topics you address with absolutely no authority in any of them has convinced me that you are truly an accomplished phlyarologist!"
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Nudiustertian
Nudiustertian(nu-di-uhs-ter-shi-uhn)adjective: Of or relating to the day before yesterday.
No, it has nothing to do with nudity, though you probably thought it did, didn't you?
"In publishing, deadlines are always discussed in nudiustertian terms to create the impression of urgency."
No, it has nothing to do with nudity, though you probably thought it did, didn't you?
"In publishing, deadlines are always discussed in nudiustertian terms to create the impression of urgency."
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Gradgrind
Gradgrind (noun):One who is only interested in cold, hard facts. The word comes from the Dickens novel "Hard Times" in which a character named Thomas Gradgrind operates entirely on the basis of facts and calculations.
"If you think that you'll find airy, poetic types in publishing houses, I regret to inform you that you will only find financial gradgrinds."
"If you think that you'll find airy, poetic types in publishing houses, I regret to inform you that you will only find financial gradgrinds."
Friday, February 10, 2012
Crapulous
Crapulous (adjective) crap-u-lus: sick from excessive indulgence in liquor.
What makes this word so perfect is the inclusion of "crap-" but this word existed well before the slang word "crap" did.
"I've had two bottles of wine, a double-scotch, and a Bacardi Breezer -- all of which have blended in a very uncomfortable way in my stomach -- and now I'm feeling crapulous."
What makes this word so perfect is the inclusion of "crap-" but this word existed well before the slang word "crap" did.
"I've had two bottles of wine, a double-scotch, and a Bacardi Breezer -- all of which have blended in a very uncomfortable way in my stomach -- and now I'm feeling crapulous."
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