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lb:neat_words

Words, Phrases, Names, and Quotes I find interesting

This is an article that collects words, phrases, names, and such that I think are neat.

Foreword

Background

In the past, I would input things I wrote into a grammar checker. Almost always, something I wrote would be labelled ‘archaic’. This inspired me to check the words I use in a dictionary. This article started as a collection of archaic words I found interesting, but eventually grew to include regular words I found interesting…and then I started including ‘other’.
Since my speech is already unorthodox, why not double-down?

Additional Notes

Definitions

Definitions given here may not be completely accurate; this is because they’re based on my understanding of the words. I also don’t currently have my own dictionaries, which means I’m limited in what I can write.

Linguas

I include a few words that aren’t from English as well, which I have marked as from another lingua. Occasionally I’ll also include words I create myself, sourced from one of the conlangs I developed.

Unorthodox & Normal

Unorthodox is the term I use to differentiate words from those that are simply present in English.
Words are placed into this category if they are:

  • Borrowed from a language besides English.
  • Constructed.A)
  • Present within English, but have a ‘personal’ definition.

Finally, I include those words that are simply ‘outside the norm.’

Words

Unorthodox

#

  • 2-3
    • ‘Two-to-three’.
    • I use this term when I want to say a number but I don’t know what number it is specifically, or when I choose to be vague on purpose.
    • Example: 2-3 years ago I learned to act.
    • E7: tú-t’thrí (R)

A

  • Adonai
    • アドナイ
    • Borrowed from Toaru Project which itself borrowed it from Hebrew.
    • It probably means ‘lord’ or ‘master’.
    • I learned more recently that it’s also used to refer to the god of the Abrahamic faiths. So the usage I’m claiming here is more broad.
    • Example: What is your wish Adonai-sama?
    • E7: adonä (R)
  • Andor
    • I find myself saying ‘and/or’ very often. At some point I got tired of writing the slash, so I just merged the two words. I had forgotten there’s a character in Star Wars with this name.
    • Example: Jeans andor swimsuits are unacceptable indoors.
  • Aschente
    • From No Game No Life. Meaning ‘I swear by these covenants’ or ‘I swear by these pledges’. Essentially shorthand.
      • Additional Note
    • Variants: ‘Ashente’; ‘Asciente’; ‘Asshente’
    • Example: Let’s start the game Adonai, Aschente!
    • E7: ascente (R)

B

  • Burárum
    • Entish noise of disgust.1)
    • From Tolkien’s Entish language.
    • Example: Orcs died here? Burárum…

C

  • (a) certain (X)
  • Cradle tongue
    • The language someone is born with/grows up with. Meant to differentiate it from ‘native tongue/native language’, which should be seen as the language of the group you identify with.2)
    • Additional note
    • Variants (in theory - I’m making these up): ‘cradle language’; ‘born language’; ‘born tongue’
    • Example: My cradle tongue is English, what’s yours?

D

  • DHCP
    • I had forgotten what it actually stood for, so I guessed. They were the first words that came to mind.
    • ‘Dynamic Hugging Carpentry Pedophile’.
    • Probably suitable as an insult.
    • Example: Now where did I stash that DHCP?
  • Dict
    • A shortening of ‘dictionary’ that was originally meant as a search engine shortcut for Wiktionary. Over time, I’ve found myself using it more like a synonym of ‘dictionary’.
    • Example: Let me take out my dict.
  • DNS
    • Similar to DHCP, but this time created more intentionally. Similar as above, the words that I came up with were the first that came to mind.
    • ‘Delta Nile Slut’.
    • I’m guessing this can be used as an insult.
  • DQN
    • Means something like idiot. I’m pretty sure it was borrowed from 2channel.
    • Pronounced ‘Do-kyun’ (like in ‘dog’).
    • Example: Why are you putting corn syrup in there, DQN?

E

  • Ek se
    • Southern African (and Rhodesian…) expression used to seek agreement. It literally means ‘I say’.3;4)
      • For Japanese speakers, compare with ‘ね’.
    • Example: Yellow bird overhead; flat dog in the river; no wide tar for miles; at least bowl us the ages ek se?
  • Error
    • I found myself using it instead of ‘mistake’.
    • Example: Damn, I made an error.

F

  • -fag
    • A suffix that is basically unheard of outside the Chanverse. It doesn’t actually have any negative connotationB). It’s comparable to the '-man’ suffix - boatman, seaman, rifleman.
    • Common derivations:
      • Drawfag - One who draws.
      • Writefag - One who writes.
        • Writefaggotry - The content produced by writefags.
    • Example: What are the drawfags up to these days?
  • Folk
    • I essentially just use this as a kind of synonym for ‘people’, but only when I combine it with some adjective that specifies some kind of location.
    • I assume I somehow picked it up from Tolkien (Durin’s folk), but I don’t understand exactly why.
      • Examples:
        • city-folk - Those who live in or around a city.
        • country-folk or rural-folk - Those who live in the country, outside of the city.
        • coastal-folk - Those who live near the coastline.
        • mountain-folk - Those who live in the mountains.

G

  • Ganchi
    • A word for Human, similar to ‘Terran’. Literally translated as ‘child of Gaia’.
    • Sourced from ‘Kamicova’C), a conlang I abandoned.
    • Additional Notes
    • Example: Maybe we’re all ganchi, but we aren’t all the same.
  • Gyaru
    • ギャル
    • This word is used to describe a girl belonging to the specific fashion subcultureD).
    • Derived from the English world ‘gal’.
    • Example: It’s been ages since I’ve spoken to a girl…and she has to be a gyaru!

H

  • Helen
    • The Helen is a unit of measurement for quantifying beauty, based on how willing armed men in ships would be to fight for that particular woman. 1 helen is defined as having the power to launch a thousand ships, of 50 oarsmen each. It’s alternatively equivalent to 50 million women5).
    • As is often the case with such old units of measurement, post standardization, it was discovered that Helen was herself not worth 1 helen, but 1.1865).

I

  • Intex
    • It’s a shortcut word for ‘interactive experience’ to describe ‘games’ with little to no gameplay and a focus on themes/story above all else.
    • I made this term up while extremely tired, and whether I’ll even use it is still to be seen.
    • Example: Actually, it’s an ‘intex’, not a ‘vidya’, it says so on the LoreBook!
  • Isekai’d
    • A term derived from the name of the Japanese genre Isekai. ‘Isekai’ itself just means '(in) another world’.
    • The term is a humorous way of referring to someone’s death. Popular especially among the western manga community.
    • Example: A: ‘What happened to Tim?’ B: ‘Got isekai’d by a truck - instant.’ A: ‘Damn, sadness overwhelming.’
    • E7: isekäd (R)

J

  • JK
    • A Japanese latin abbreviation for ‘High-school Girl’ - 女子高生(じょしこうせい), joshi kōsei.
    • Example: Wait, it isn’t illegal to talk to JK?
    • E7: jëkë (R)

K

  • Kin
    • Those who belong to the same group or family.6)
    • I just use it to refer to those I believe I am related to in some way or another.
    • Example: He may be a bastard, but he’s kin, so screw off!
  • Kopipe
    • An older term. It was likely borrowed from Japanese (コピペ) but I don’t know for sure. It means ‘Copypasta’.
    • Example: George Zimmer is a famous Kopipe.
  • (to) Kwai
    • To blow something up - make something explode.7)
    • Example: Let’s just get this over with… kwai the bridge!
    • E7: quë (R)

L

  • Lingua
    • I found myself using this over ‘language’ since I found it easier to pronounce. It’s borrowed from the romance languages
    • Variant: ‘linga’
    • Example: How many linguas can you understand?
    • E7: liŋwa (R)

P

  • Primary world
    • The real world of the reader or viewer, as opposed to the imaginary ‘secondary world’ of a work of fiction.8)
    • I find it works far better than ‘real world’, which can conflict in stories where virtual reality plays a role.
    • Contrast with ‘secondary world’.
  • Professor argument
    • An argument that is perceived to be intelligent in some way.
    • Originates from a bizarre dream I had.
    • Example: Wait, you’re really hitting me with the professor arguments? It was a joke!

R

  • (to) Refrain
    • This is more of a derived term. The original meant ‘chorus’.9)
    • This one can mean '(to) repeat’, ‘loop’, ‘redo’, '(to) cycle through’. It’s derived from Little Busters! Refrain.
    • Example: How many times must I refrain this?
    • E7: rifrën (R) rifrein (E)
  • Respite
    • A moment of rest.
    • Alternatively, an ‘area’ of rest.
    • Example: Just a little more and we’ll get to the respite.
    • E7: respät (R)
  • Retard Units
    • Used to describe the American and British Imperial units of measurement. The opposite are ‘non-retard units’ or the Metric units.
      • However, I feel that ‘non-retard units’ can refer to other more regular systems.
    • Example: Why would you give us the distance in retard units?
  • Ribadyan
    • A person celebrating their birthday.10)
    • From the Westron language.
    • Example: Yesterday it was you, but today I am the ribadyan!

S

  • Sekuhara
    • セクハラ
    • A shortening of ‘sexual harassment’ borrowed from Japanese.
  • Shope
    • The theoretical singular of ‘sheep’.
  • Snoze
    • The theoretical past-tense of ‘sneeze’.
  • Speculah
    • Originally 4chan(?) slang for ‘speculation’. I use it to refer to any kind of speculation or analysis.
    • E7: spekȷula (R)
  • Systemizer
    • A word I use to describe a particular type of person.
    • A systemizer is someone who hopes to improve something through systemization andor simplification. A systemizer would agree with the statement ‘A bad system is a complex system.’

T

  • (to be) Tanged
    • To have the physical boundaries of your body vanish, dissolving your body. Your soul is then released from it.
    • Example: Finally, after years of constant work…I will finally be tanged.
  • Tension
    • テンション
    • A word borrowed from Japanese borrowed from English. However, unlike the original English word, this one means ‘excitement’ or ‘enthusiasm’.
    • Example: Woah, that’s some high tension right there dude.
    • E7: tenscon (R)

U

  • U. N. Owen
    • A fancy way of saying ‘murderer’.
      • Additional Note
    • Example: Methinks U.N. Owen is you.

V

  • Volapük
    • It means gibberish or nonsense.11).
      • Additional Note
    • Example: Stop speaking Volapük dude.
    • E7: volapuq (R)

Normal

#

    • An emoticon indicating a singsong tone of voice or playful attitude.13)

A

  • (to) Accoll
    • To hug (or embrace) someone or something.14)
    • Example: I accolled my cousin, but she ended up slapping me.
  • Adulterate
    • To be corrupted by being mixed with something else.15)
    • To be the product of adultery, related to adultery andor to commonly commit adultery.15)
    • Example: That poor adulterate child…
  • Anachronism
    • Someone or something that seems out of place in a particular time period or historical event.16)
      • For example: A T-34 tank at the Ottoman siege of Constantinople.
    • I occasionally describe myself as a walking anachronism, considering how all over the place my interests are.
  • Ante
    • A cost/price of some sort.17)
    • Example: Ante is rising every day, gotta hurry!
  • Ashen
    • To be ash-coloured; to resemble ashes.18)
    • Example: He lives by the ashen stream.
  • Avaricious
    • To be extremely greedy; to desire accumulating wealth or property.19)
    • Example: What an avaricious man! I was hoping he’d donate a little to the orphanage…

B

  • (to) Bemoan
    • To moan or complain about something.20)
    • Alternatively, to be worried about someone, particularly due to their circumstances.20)
    • Example: Stop bemoaning and get back to work.
  • (to) Benight
    • To overtake someone with the darkness of night.21)
    • Example: He’ll be benighted soon enough, don’t you worry.
  • Byzantine
    • Overly complex or intricate.22)
    • Example: Goddamn byzantine paperwork!
    • E7: bizèntín (R)

C

  • Capricious
    • Something or someone that is unpredictable, arbitrary andor impulsive.23)
    • Example: What’s to like about her? She’s capricious.
  • Casus belli
    • An act, or reason, seen as justifying a war.24)
    • Example: We set ‘imperialism’ as our casus belli, marvelous!
  • Cause célèbre
    • An event andor incident that arouses controversy.25)
    • Example: It was a cause célèbre indeed. To think the two of them were acquainted…
  • Chic
    • Of a person or thing that is stylish/fashionable.26)
    • There are three derived terms that basically mean the same thing (very chic): ‘superchic’; ‘ultrachic’; ‘uberchic’
    • Example: She’s looking pretty chic nowadays…how much do you pay her?
  • Chiconomics
    • Attempting to appear chic on a budget.27)
    • Example: Chiconomics are a truly complicated thing.
  • Clay
    • Land or territory of a country. Used especially when discussing territorial claims.28)
    • Example: Rightful! Osean! Clay!
  • Concord
    • An agreement/union between parties.29)
    • Antonym of ‘discord’.29;30)
    • Example: Members of the meeting were in concord.
  • Confelicity
    • Taking pleasure in another person’s happiness.31)
    • Example: My only motivation is confelicity~.
  • (to) Convalesce
    • To gradually recover health and strength after being weakened or sick.32)
    • Example: He’s been convalescing ever since that sekuhara incident.
  • Convent
    • A gathering of people with the purpose of discussing or working on a previously selected topic.33)
    • A religious community where the members live under religious rules and vows.33)
    • Example: The convent had been the opposite of silent for a while.
  • Coven
    • An assembly/group of witches.34)
    • Example: Go by the coven, you’ll find a group of bitches there.

D

  • De facto
    • ‘According to fact’. When something is factually true, regardless of legal status. Compare to ‘de jure’.35)
    • Example: It’s de facto independent. No-one will care.
  • De jure
    • ‘According to law’. When something is claimed to be a certain way, as opposed to ‘de facto’.36)
    • Example: It may be like that de jure, but it matters little.
  • Deadline fighter
    • Someone who starts working on something just before the deadline. So a procrastinator.37)
    • Example: Why do you always have to be a deadline fighter?
  • (to) Deflower
    • To steal the virginity of a woman or girl.38)
    • Alternatively to deprive someone or something of grace and beauty.38)
    • Example: He deflowered the monument.
  • (to) Deign
    • To condescend to something despite one’s dignity.39)
    • Example: Fine. I shall deign myself so I may understand your petty grievances.
  • Dewfall
    • The time during which dew forms.40)
    • Example: I’ll be meeting you after dewfall.
  • Discord
    • The lack of an agreement/union between parties.30)
    • Antonym of ‘concord’.30;29)
    • Example: The meeting had collapsed into discord.
  • Dolorific
    • Causing or relating to pain.41)
    • Example: It took a while through dolorific running to get to our destination.
  • Dulcet
    • Used to describe a voice or one as sweet or melodious.42)
    • Synonymous with ‘mellifluous’ and ‘birdsweet’.42)
    • Example: Ah! She’s just so dulcet!

E

  • Ender
    • Something which ends something else.43)
    • Example: The party ender entered the party and ended it.
  • Epicaricacy
    • Taking pleasure in another person’s misfortune.44)
    • Essentially an antonym of ‘confelicity.’45;44)
    • Example: As for reasons…it’s epicaricacy!
  • Ersatz
    • Something made in imitation. Especially when of a poor quality.46)
    • Example: I stared at the ersatz watch and deeply regretted the choice I had made.

F

  • Fae/Fey
    • Something that is magical, fairylike or fantastic.47;48)
    • Example: I looked upon the garden and saw a fae tree.
  • Fingersmith
    • Word for pickpocket or midwife49)
    • Yes, I thought it was a sex thing too.
    • Example: Hah? You’re a fingersmith?
  • Flat dog
    • Rhodesian slang for crocodile50). Yes, really.
    • Example: There were plenty of flat dogs by the stream.
  • Fortitude
    • Mental or emotional strength.51)
    • Example: You lack fortitude my apprentice.

G

  • Gauche
    • Lacking the ability to fit into polite society52).
    • Example: Not very gauche.
  • Geofront
    • An underground urban area, usually built in geographically limited cities. Currently, they only exist within Japan.53)
  • Graze
    • Rhodesian slang for food.50)
    • Can also mean ‘to eat’. Also Rhodesian slang.50)
    • Examples:
      • Hey, bring the graze over here.
      • Ain’t it about time to graze?

H

  • Hot minute
    • As has become my custom, I checked the definition for this before I used it. The wiktionary entries made me laugh so I’ll include them all here.
    • An extremely short period of time; moment.54)
    • An unspecified period of time; while.54)
    • A long period of time.54)
    • Example: A: ‘I’ll be there in a hot minute.’ B: '…how long is that?’
  • Hurcheon
    • A hedgehog.55)
    • Example: I saw a hurcheon today! It was adorable!

I

  • Instrumental
    • A composition that lacks lyrics.56)
    • Is the word meant to be used instead of ‘song’ if there aren’t lyrics.
    • Example: It’s called an instrumental you ingrate.
  • Indelible
    • Something that is difficult to lose, forget or remove.57)
    • Example: I thought that hat was indelible…

J

  • (to) Jawl
    • To play or have a good time.50)
    • Example: Hey! You guys wanna jawl with us?
  • Jejune
    • Of a statement/argument that lacks substance.58)
    • Example: …How jejune, and here I was expecting professor arguments.

K

  • Known family
    • known known
      • That which we know we know. Information we are aware we do possess.59)
    • known unknown
      • That which we know we do not know. Information we are aware we do not possess.60)
    • unknown known
      • That which we do not know we know. Information we are not aware we do possess.61)
    • unknown unknown
      • That which we do not know we do not know. Information we are not aware we do not possess.62)

L

  • Lese Majesty
    • An offense against the dignity of a reigning monarch or a state.63)
    • Alternative spellings: lèse majesté64;63), leze majesty65;63).

M

  • Manufactroversy
    • A manufactured controversy.66)
  • Matutinal
    • Relating to, or occurring in, the early morning.67)
    • Example: I woke up, had a matutinal coffee, and fell asleep.
  • Maudlin
    • Excessively sentimental, in a foolish manner.68)
    • Example: What a maudlin letter…
  • Mellifluous
    • Something that flows like honey.69)
    • Can be used in reference to someone’s voice, tone or writing style.69)
    • Example: Dulcet! Mellifluous! Her voice is so sweet!
  • Melliloquent
    • To speak sweetly. Like honey.70)
    • Example: Your speech may be melliloquent, but there is malice hidden beneath those words.
  • Motile
    • Having the power to produce motion.71)
    • Example: Explain to me, in detail, how this rock is supposedly motile?

N

  • Newsie
    • Referred (or refers to) those who distribute the news, or relay it.72)
    • Example: Heard it from a newsie.
  • Noblesse oblige
    • The honorable obligation of the nobility, or high-ranked, to the lower-ranked.73)
    • Example: Have you forgotten about noblesse oblige?
  • Nontroversy
    • A controversy that either doesn’t exist or is of little importance.74)

O

  • (to) Obviate
    • To anticipate and prevent something or to make that something unnecessary.75)

P

  • Plenipotentiary
    • A person who has been invested with full power to conduct business. Especially a diplomat.76)
    • Example: You are deeply mistaken - I am the plenipotentiary!
  • Poppycock
    • Word that’s essentially synonymous with ‘nonsense’.77)

Q

  • Quietus
    • Something that is still or quiets, or a stillness.78)
    • Can also mean death.78)

R

  • Racy
    • Something that is mildly risqué.79)
    • Example: That’s one racy poster. Are you not concerned what she’ll think of it?
  • Risqué
    • Sexually improper. Sexually improper; bordering on indelicate.80;81)
    • Example: She described it as a risqué poster. Guess I overestimated my luck there.

S

  • Same difference
    • Used when a distinction does not matter or is seen as irrelevant.82)
    • Example: A: ‘It was maroon, not red.’ B: ‘Same difference…’
  • Sankyu
    • Thank you. A borrowing from Japanese サンキュー which is from the English ‘Thank you’.
    • Alternative forms: sankyū, sankyuu.
  • Sclerotic
    • Resistant to change; isolated.83)
    • Example: The rules here are so sclerotic! Just let us eat ice cream!
  • Secondary world
    • An internally consistent setting or fictional world that is different from the real ‘primary world’.84)
  • Septemfluous
    • To flow in seven streams.85)
    • Example: A: ‘How was it?’ B: ‘It was septemfluous.’ A: '…’
  • Skinship
    • Strengthening bonds among family and friends through physical touch.86)
    • Example: A: ‘I swear, this is just skinship!’ B: ‘You went a bit far for “skinship”’!
  • Slake
    • To satisfy one’s thirst.87)
    • Alternatively, to become less energetic. To slack off.87)
    • Example: I slaked myself.
  • Smooth operator
    • A person who accomplishes tasks with efficiency and grace88).
    • Alternatively, someone who is skillful or manipulative.88;89)
    • Alternatively alternatively, a person who is confident and relaxed in a way intended to deceive others89).
    • I personally prefer a mix of the first and third definitions excluding the deception.
  • Soirée
    • A formal evening party.90)
    • Alternative spelling: ‘soiree’.
    • Example: I heard all about it at tonight’s soirée! Honestly, how do you get away with it?
  • Sparrow-fart
    • A time very early in the day; dawn.91)
    • A person or thing of no consequence.91)
  • Spitfire
    • A quick-tempered or highly emotional person.92)
    • Example: A: ‘Why did you do that?’ B: ‘Eh, I like me a spitfire.’
  • Stupid o’clock
    • A time of day, usually during the night or early in the morning, considered unreasonable or when one is prone to poor judgment.93)
  • Sylvan
    • Relating to the forest or the woods.94)
    • Example: Just head over to the Sylvan clock.

T

  • Tacit
    • Something that is not made explicit but implied, especially through silence.95)
    • Example: You tacitly agreed. If you wanted to stop me you would have then.
  • Terra nullius
    • Territory that doesn’t belong to anyone ‘de jure’. May or may not apply to ‘de facto’ territory.96)
    • Example: It was definitely terra nullius. I don’t make these kinds of mistakes.
  • Thalassocracy
    • A state which derives power from its naval supremacy andor commercial supremacy on the sea.97)
    • Example: A: ‘It’s a thalassocracy.’ B: '…’ A: '…It’s “Navally supreme.”’ B: ‘I thought you had a stroke.’
  • Trashy
    • Having low quality like trash. Used especially to describe media.98)
  • Très chic
    • Something that is fashionable/in style.99)

U

  • Umbra
    • An uninvited guest who was brought by someone who was invited.100)
    • Alternatively, a shadow.100)
  • Umbral
    • Relating to an ‘umbra’.101)
    • Alternatively, someone or something uninvited.
      • Additional Note

V

  • Verboten
    • Means forbidden.102) Borrowed from German.102)
      • Why a word identical to another would be borrowed I don’t know.
  • Verily
    • Meaning ‘in truth’. Basically the same as ‘truly’.103)
  • Vexation
    • The act of irritating or annoying.104)
  • Vidya
    • A shortening of ‘Video Game(s)'.105) Favored by 4chan.
  • Vulgate
    • The common version or edition. Published for common use.106)

W

  • Wallflower
    • Someone who is left by the sidelines during a group activity.107)
      • More specifically refers to those who do not dance at a party; either because they’re shy or unpopular.107)
    • Example: I picked myself up a pretty wallflower!
  • Warez
    • Software that is distributed through piracy.108)
    • Alternatively: pirated software.
  • Wide Tar
    • Rhodesian slang for paved, two-way roads.7)
    • Example: Finally some wide tar, I’ve had enough of the dirt roads.
  • Wilco
    • Indicates agreement in radio communications.109)
  • Witching Hour
    • An hour after midnight when witches and spirits are active. It is bad luck to stay up during this time.110)
  • Woggin

Y

  • Yellow bird
    • Rhodesian slang for the sun50).
    • This one manages to be equally understandable and confusing for me.
    • Example: The yellow bird is flying high.

Phrases

A

  • (to be) a hundred years too early
    • To be so immature and unprepared as to have no hope of achieving something.112)
    • Example: Hahahahaha, you’re a hundred years too early to face me in professional ice sculpting!
  • Acknowledge the corn
    • To admit to the truth of something, usually relating to a point of an issue or mistake; or to admit to a small error but not a larger one.113)
    • Example: Joshua, just acknowledge the corn. You were the one who drove that car, weren’t you?
  • Add Oil
    • If wikipedia is to be believed… this is an expression in Hong Kong English expressing encouragement.114)
    • ‘Go for it’ and such.
    • Example: Don’t be nervous when handling women, just add oil!
  • Agitate the gravel
    • A phrase that means ‘let’s leave this place’ and variations thereof.50)
    • Example: A: ‘Well boys, let’s agitate the gravel.’ B: ‘We’re in the ocean.’

B

  • The bee’s knees
    • Refers to something or someone very cool.115)
    • Example: Is that a PDA, those were the bee’s knees in my day!
  • Bowl us the ages (ek se)
    • Rhodesian way of asking for the time - ‘What’s the time?’50)
    • I’m assuming ‘ek se’ is optional.

C

  • (as) confused as a chameleon inside a Smartie box.
    • This is included only because it made me laugh hard.
    • Used to express the level of confusion one experienced, experiences or will experience50). Rhodesian slang… thing?.
    • Example: It went totally over my head. I was as confused as a chameleon inside a Smartie box.

D

  • Damn with faint praise
    • To provide minimal or inconsequential praise, with the implication that no better could be said.116)

G

  • God’s in his Heaven; all’s right with the world
    • To express happiness or to say that everything is alright.117) (Fairly simple).

I

  • (back) into the bush
    • An expression I picked up from Five Romeo Romeo. He (from how I understood it) uses it to say he’s going back into the fight (the Rhodesian Bush War). I’ve since found a slightly different meaning…
    • Used when you want to express that you are heading back into a place/situation you find uncomfortable in some way. (Can also be used sarcastically).
    • Variant: '(back) to the front’E)
  • Ich spreche deutche de tschechien gut too ja?
    • Used when you want to show off your skills in Bohemian German and seek agreement for it.

K

  • Kwai it to the North Pole
    • Essentially the same as ‘blow it to smithereens’.7)

N

  • Nani mai hani?
    • A phrase used to ask your ‘honey’ what they would like.
    • Variants: Nani my honey?

O

  • (X) overwhelming
    • A phrase I use semi-regularly to (sarcastically) express an overwhelming emotion of some kind. Most often rendered as ‘sadness overwhelming’.
    • I believe it originated from 'power overwhelming’ from StarCraft.

U

  • Unfeasible and undesirable
    • A phrase I use occasionally to describe things that are not practically possible and the results of which we wouldn’t want in the first place.
    • Example: Eating all the cheese in the state within a 48-hour period is unfeasible and undesirable.
  • Up one’s own ass
    • Someone who has an excessively high opinion of themselves.118)

W

  • When the internet is fixed
    • Something that will never happen or will happen some unknown time in the future.
    • I found myself saying this to people when my internet cut out for about two weeks.

Names

A brief note that I realized isn’t really clear. When I say that a name means something, I’m not only referring to the specific form it’s in, I’m also referring to whatever it’s a variant of.
Also, keep in mind that most of the meanings are gathered from what I understand on wiktionary and BehindTheName. If an etymologist or whoever wishes to correct me, I’d be more than happy to change stuff here. Actually, I’d prefer to be corrected.

A

  • Adelina
    • Supposedly it means ‘noble’.119)
    • I believe it’s related to the name ‘Adelaide’.
  • Aenor
    • After some figuring out, I learned that the meaning is either ‘rich and famous’ (seriously) or something to do with ‘light’.120)
  • Aileen
    • A given name for girls. Wiktionary tells me its a variant of ‘Evelyn’.121) It means either ‘desirable’ or ‘strong’.122)
  • Alicia
    • A variant of ‘Alice’123). Alice is itself a variant/descendant of the name ‘Adelaide’. Its meaning is basically ‘noble’ or ‘nobility’.124)
  • Arthur
    • The Encyclopaedia of Arthurian Legends gives three possible etymologies for Arthur’s name.
      • The first suggests that Arthur originated as a form of ‘Artorius’, which is a roman name125).
      • The second is the one given on Wiktionary, which is that the name is Welsh in origin and it means ‘bear’ or ‘bear man’125;126).
      • The third suggests a possible connection with the Irish word art, meaning ‘stone’125).

C

  • Catalina
    • A variant of ‘Catherine’, which has an unclear meaning. ‘Catherine’ either means ‘each of the two’127) or it’s derived from the name of the goddess Hecate,127) which probably means ‘one who works from afar’.128)F)

D

  • Daxter
    • This is the name of an ottsel129) from the Jak and Daxter franchise. It appears to be a variant of the name ‘Dexter’ which likely means ‘one who dyes’.130;131)
      • ‘Dexter’ also overlaps with the latin word ‘dexter’ which means ‘right-handed’/‘skilled’130), which is where we get the word ‘dexterous’.132)
  • Dexter
    • ‘But we have “Daxter” up there!’ - Not the surname.
    • It was originally a feminine word for dyers - ‘those who dye’133;131) - but became a surname… and then somehow a forename.
    • Coincidentally (or not), ‘Daxter’ can also be a surname.134)

E

  • Eleonora
    • A variant of the name ‘Eleanor’. This one is fairly interesting, since the exact meaning is unknown. The meaning is apparently meant to be ‘the other Aenor’, where ‘Aenor’ has the unknown meaning. As ‘Aenor’ has its own entry, I won’t explain it here.135;120)
    • Other variants: ‘Alienora’136;120); ‘Aliénor’137;120)
  • Estelle
    • Means ‘star’. Borrowed from French.138)

G

  • Galahad
    • It could mean ‘Falcon of Summer’139) (from Old Welsh) or it may be derived from ‘Gilead’125)G) which means ‘a heap of stones’.140;141)
  • Gawain
    • Gawain is more confusing than I initially thought from my browsing of wiktionary. The Encyclopedia of Arthurian Legends provides two possible meanings:
      • It’s stated that his name in Welsh is ‘Gwalchmai’, which means ‘Hawk of May’ or ‘Hawk of the plain’125). This is the name listed first by the Encyclopedia.
      • The Encyclopedia also presents the theory that Gwalchmai and Gawain are not the same character125). Instead, it’s believed Gawain originated as ‘Gwrvan Gwallt-avwy’ from the Mabinogion. ‘Gwrvan Gwallt-avwy’ either means ‘hair like rain’ or ‘fair hair’. The Encyclopedia does make clear that there isn’t agreement over this theory.
  • Guinevere
    • This has an unknown meaning. This word might mean ‘white spirit/demon’.142;143)
    • The name ‘Jennifer’ descended from this.143)

I

  • Igraine
    • This one has a completely unknown meaning apparently. Wiktionary didn’t have the balls to tell me though, I needed behind the name to tell me it’s unknown.144;145)
  • Iseult
    • The name means ‘she who is gazed on’, derived from ‘Adsiltia’.125;146) However, Wiktionary also says that it could mean ‘Ice Battle’.146)

K

  • Keira
    • A variant of the Irish name ‘Ciara’147) which means ‘black’148), but like feminine.149;150)
    • This and ‘Daxter’ will probably make people realize I’ve remembered the Jak and Daxter franchise exists.

L

  • Lancelot
    • Unfortunately not from ‘lance’ and ‘a lot’. (Lances a lot)
    • It’s just the word ‘land’ with masculine endings attached. Good job Lancelot, genius name.151)
  • Leticia/Letizia
    • Wikitionary says it comes from latin ‘gladness’.152;153)
  • Lilian
    • Wikt says it’s a variant of ‘Lilium’.154)

M

  • Margatroid
    • Touhou fans will recognize it instantly. I was honestly surprised when I learned it was a real thing.
    • It’s related to a place name, but that doesn’t matter too much.
    • Alternative spellings: ‘Murgatroyd’155); ‘Murgatroid’156)
  • Maybel
    • A variant of ‘Mabel’ that was clipped from ‘Amabel’ which is from the latin word for ‘lovable’.157;158)
  • Merlin
    • It means ‘Sea-hill’. I don’t understand either.159)
  • Mordred
    • This one probably means ‘observing moderation’.160)
  • Morgan/Morgana
    • There are two names.
    • The unisex name means ‘Great/Sea Chief’ but I personally prefer ‘Great Circle’.161)
    • The female name means ‘Sea Born’, this is (so far) the Arthurian name with the clearest meaning.161)
      • Variants: ‘Morgaine’; ‘Morgana’; ‘Morgen’

N

  • Niamh
    • Feminine name that means ‘bright’.162)
    • Variants: ‘Neve’162); ‘Nia’162)
  • Nimuë
    • Unknown meaning, but Wiktionary didn’t have the balls to tell me that… Behind the Name told me.163;164)
  • Noor
    • Arabic feminine name meaning ‘light’.165;166)
    • This is the name that might be related to Aenor.
    • Variants: ‘Noora’; ‘Nora’; ‘Norah’; ‘Nour’; ‘Nur’; ‘Nura’167)

P

  • Pendragon
    • It probably means ‘head war chief’… in other words ‘king’. It could also mean ‘Top Dragon’ which is probably not what it means, but it sounds funny.168;169)
  • Percival
    • Can be one of two things, either ‘valley piercer’ which sounds kinda cool or, more likely, ‘spear of hard metal or steel’. I honestly know not which I prefer.170)

S

  • Shirley
    • The name means ‘bright clearing’171) or ‘county meadow’.172)

T

  • Tristan
    • Means ‘Riot’ or ‘Tumult’. 173)

U

  • Uther
    • Wiktionary failed me again, Behind the Name saved me again.
    • The name means ‘Terrible’.174) A bit of a surprise at first, but a little thinking later, I realized it makes sense.

Quotes

Unlike the previous section, this one isn’t ordered alphabetically…or in any order really.

We just deluded ourselves into it being a stonethrow away from Utopia.

— The source was one of whatifalthist’s videos, but I don’t remember which.

My ignorance amuses me.

— Manfred Powell, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

A task so devious some might call it herculean.

— Shadiversity, EFAP #194

Wherefore should I go into the direst peril that there is in the world for the sake of a wandering Gnome of the woods?

— Dairon referring to Beren, Beren & Lúthien, J.R.R. Tolkien

Demetrius: Villain, what has thou done?
Aaron: That which thou can’t not undo.
Chiron: Thou hast undone our mother.
Aaron: Villain, I hath done thy mother!

Titus Andronicus: act 4, scene 2, William Shakespeare

All men… are not created equal!

— Emperor of Britannia, コードギアス興道, Code Geass Koudou

The world’s going to hell pretty quick…

— Houtarou, Hyouka Episode 19

Because it’s perfectly normal for me to be the best.

— Haqua du Lot Herminium, (かみ)のみぞ()るセカイⅡ(The World God Only Knows Ⅱ) Episode 3

I’ve thought about rebelling, but I don’t even know how to.

— Matsumae Ohana, 花咲くいろは, Hanasaku Iroha Episode 2

The power of friendship will guide me to her before the other guards!!

— Saten Ruiko, とある科学の超電磁砲レールガン, Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Volume 15, Chapter 120

I detect a little communism.

"Ain't I Right" - American Anti-Communist song - YouTube, 0:59

Pornography can save the world.

— Okajima Taiga, 暗殺教室, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu

— CATS, Zero Wing

I have this bad habit of starting galactic wars whenever I get stuck.

— Shiomiya Shiori, (かみ)のみぞ()るセカイ女神(めがみ)(へん)(The World God Only Knows Goddess Arc), Episode 6

You still watch anime even though you’re in high school?

— Kosaka Chihiro, 神のみぞ知るセカイ4人とアイドル, Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai 4-nin to Idol

Something tells me that God isn’t a stalker…

— Oshimizu Nako, 花咲くいろは, Hanasaku Iroha Episode 7

Viva la civil engineering!

— Uiharu Kazari, とある魔術の禁書目録エンデュミオンの奇蹟, Toaru Majutsu no Index: Miracle of Endymion

You yawn, I spawn.

— Kanzaki Kaori, とある魔術の禁書目録エンデュミオンの奇蹟, Toaru Majutsu no Index: Miracle of Endymion

There is nothing that I cannot blow away!!! I just have to pay for what I destroy afterwards.

— Kongou Mitsuko, とある科学の超電磁砲レールガン, Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Volume 8, Chapter 50

And what am I supposed to do with this newfound hatred of tumbleweed?

— TimTVT, The Trouble With Tumbleweed - YouTube Comments

Please have my babies.

— Nishijima Masumi, 未来(みらい)日記(にっき)(Future Diary) Episode 20

If you use the power of money, you do not need that girl to get the milk, do you?

— Holo, (おおかみ)更新料(こうしんりょう)II (おおかみ)琥珀色(こはくいろ)憂鬱(ゆううつ)(Spice & Wolf II Wolf & Amber Melancholy)

It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot we must become the enemy of the rest of mankind.

— Voltaire, Philosophical Dictionary, annotated by Abner Kneeland, vol. 1, 239

Truth is like poetry. And most people fucking hate poetry.

— Overheard at a Washington D.C. bar (According to the film The Big Short)

 …Civilized people shouldn’t get into water too deep to stand in.

— Treize, Lilia & Treize, Volume 2, Chapter 8

  • I had a plan for something here but I forgot it.
  • Regarding sources:
    • My primary source was, and currently still is, Wiktionary, but I am in the process of replacing it. I’m trying to find a decent dictionary…as in a book…but, well, I haven’t found one yet. Wiktionary’s quality is highly variable and I don’t like the Wikimedia project anyway.
      • I have managed to secure a few dictionaries of Japanese Grammar, as well as a dictionary of Shinto, and a Matoran language dictionary. I don’t know if any of those will ever come up here however.
    • However, for names, I’ve switched to relying on BehindTheName.
  • Words being considered:
    • Dixie, Yankee

A) Meaning I made them up in some way.
B) Most of the time.
C) My conlang originally had ‘c’ pronounced as ‘k’ exclusively…and I didn’t have a letter ‘k’ at all. I’m not sure why the spelling here changed.
D) There is no such thing as a boy who doesn’t like dinosaurs!
E) meant to be more general, if you’re unfamiliar with Bush Warfare.
F) Wiktionary lists a few potential meanings, but I’m not listing them all.
G) The Encyclopedia only says that his name is either derived from Old Welsh or from ‘Gilead’

2) ^ a, b English and Welsh by J.R.R. Tolkien
6) ^ a kin
7) ^ a, b, c https://genius.com/Mike-westcott-and-leprechaun-its-a-long-way-to-mukumbura-lyrics - ‘Kwai’ I could not find in the two better? sources I have now, but since I still like the sound I’m keeping it. Also, in context (of the song), the meaning makes sense so I’m assuming it’s trustworthy.
13) ^ a
17) ^ a ante
18) ^ a ashen
20) ^ a, b bemoan
26) ^ a chic
28) ^ a clay
29) ^ a, b, c concord
30) ^ a, b, c discord
33) ^ a, b convent
34) ^ a coven
39) ^ a deign
42) ^ a, b dulcet
43) ^ a ender
47) ^ a fey
48) ^ a fae
78) ^ a, b quietus
79) ^ a racy
87) ^ a, b slake
95) ^ a tacit
100) ^ a, b umbra
120) ^ a, b, c, d Eleanor
125) ^ a, b, c, d, e, f, g The Encyclopaedia of Arthurian Legends by Ronan Coghlan
130) ^ a, b dexter
131) ^ a, b Dexter
146) ^ a, b Iseult
148) ^ a ciar
161) ^ a, b Morgan
162) ^ a, b, c niamh
165) ^ a Noor
lb/neat_words.txt · Last modified: 2024-04-11 10:01:31 by ninjasr

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