I think the range of words out there is fascinating. I particularly enjoy learning a word that describes a rather complex concept that I could previously only express with a longish phrase. Like how schadenfreude is that secret delight you get from hearing about some celebrity's trainwreck of a personal life, or how pareidolia is to blame when the world gets excited about a supposed face on a piece of toast.
So I was filled with logophilic glee the other day when I came across some Brit writing about 'our antipodean friends in New Zealand.' After first hieing to the Wikipedia, I was relieved to know that I no longer must labour under such clunky phrasing as 'on the other side of the earth, through the center, so east becomes west and north becomes south, you know?'
My antipode, right this moment as I'm sitting on the couch, is in Spain, between Sevilla and Malaga. Specifically, the small town of Acinipo. Even more specifically, the space between two dead-end roads: Caminos de las Menas y Mesas.
Sorry, Americans-in-America, it's the Indian Ocean for you (although the guys in Chester, Montana could probably swim for it.) That hole the kids are digging in the backyard isn't going to make it to China after all.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
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5 comments:
Then there are spiritual antipodes, emotional antipodes, and intellectual antipodes. Now what would the anitpode of my favorite type of music be? Allie, you have given me a plethora of delightful topics to think about! BTW, the weather outside today is antipodean to my favorite: Sunshine, 70's-ish, gentle breeze, puffy white clouds in a blue, blue sky, birdsong and the subtle smell of lilac.
Boy, did I ever learn great new words today!
I hear Bill O'Reilly giving out a "Word of the Day" every now and then. I don't listen to him often enough to know if he really does it Every day.
Regarless, 'schadenfreude' and 'pareidolia' would easily qualify as 'words of the Year,' if he were to use them on his show.
Now...I need to figure out how I can start using them regularly in daily conversation....that my be
operose at best.
Operose! Had to look it up, now love it.
Mom, just wait until your seasonal antipode.
Have you played with the gadget in the third link? I probably wasted half an hour there yesterday.
Even in antipodical mode, you can help, without much operose in feeding the hungry which is neither schadenfreude but can be pareidoliac while improving your vocabulary at freerice.com Sorry Allie I couldn't help it :D
freerice.com! I love it! I just donated 100 grains and learned that ataraxia= peace of mind!
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