There are times when we want to say so much, but words fail us. At such moments, when we experience strong emotions, we are at a loss for words. This list of little-known words for expressing our feelings will help us identify what we're feeling. Did you know there are words for "the day before yesterday" and "the day after tomorrow"? "Ereyesterday" is the word for "the day before yesterday," and "overmorrow" is the word for "the day after tomorrow." We don't use them today. There are other beautiful, but rarely used, words from languages around the world that have interesting meanings.
1. "Lalochesia"«
A word that describes the emotional relief you feel after using swear words.
You've built up so much anger and frustration about what's happening that you start cursing. Even just saying "damn" can make you feel better. This happens to many people, and it's called "lalochesia." The word comes from the Greek words lalia , which means "speech", and chezo , which means "to relieve oneself.". (source)
2. "Phillyangst"“
A Norwegian word for the anxious feeling of dread that occurs the day after drinking alcohol because you don't remember what you did or how you behaved.
«"What happened last night?" is a question many of us ask ourselves the morning after drinking. We're filled with fear of embarrassment and anxiety about the unknown.» Fülleangst »" is the Norwegian word for this feeling. In Norway, there are occasions when the person who gets the drunkest is awarded a prize. So, there, "fulleangst" is, in a sense, a source of pride. (source)
3. "Frisson"«
The feeling of euphoria and goosebumps that occurs when listening to music.
Two-thirds of the world's population experiences "frisson"—a word originating in French but adopted into English. Sometimes, while listening to a beautiful piece of music, you feel goosebumps or a chill down your spine. Some people experience pleasure. Frisson can even be experienced while contemplating a great work of art, watching a stunning scene in a film, or even through physical contact with another person. (source)
4. "Iktsuarpok"«
An Inuktitut word that describes the feeling of anticipation of someone's arrival, causing one to constantly check to see if they have arrived.
The feeling of anticipation when someone is about to arrive is called "« iktsuarpok »"This anticipation makes us go outside to check if the person has arrived, and sometimes we check several times. This word was given to the world by the indigenous Inuit people. (source)
5. "Woary"«
Feeling miserable or depressed because of cold weather.
Albert Camus's famous quote speaks volumes about how winter is a time of gloom and cold, but also a time for reflection and contemplation. He said, "In the depths of winter, I finally realized that within me lurked an invincible summer." Cold weather often brings a sense of gloom, and the word "oorie" (gloomy) aptly describes this feeling. The word was first used in the 18th century by the poet Robert Burns and is believed to be of Scottish origin. (source)
6. "Eudaimonia"«
A word used to describe the feeling of satisfaction and happiness a person experiences when doing something they enjoy, such as traveling.
In anglicized form this word sounds like "« eudaimonia »"," and its meaning has evolved significantly. In standard English, it's translated as "happiness," but it's much more than just happiness. Positive psychology defines it as "self-awareness"—a sense of purpose in life or intense engagement and enjoyment in activities. Anything that makes you feel engaged and happy is eudaimonia. (source)
7. "Call of the Void"«
That feeling you get for a few seconds when you think about jumping off a cliff or driving into oncoming traffic for no reason, even though you'd never actually do it.
«"L'appel du vide" in French, or "the call of the void" in English, is a feeling many of us have experienced at some point in our lives. Scientists call it the "High Place phenomenon," and research has been conducted on it. April Smith, an associate professor of psychology at Miami University in Ohio, co-authored a study on the topic and stated, "The urge to jump confirms the urge to live, which is empirical research into the High Place phenomenon." She also says there's nothing scary about it. (source)
8. "Cacoethes"«
An overwhelming desire to do something unwanted.
Someone says "no," and you feel compelled to do exactly what you were just talked out of. This overwhelming urge is uncontrollable. This urge is called "kakoetes." It comes from the Latin words "kakoetes," which translates from the Greek words "kakoetes" (meaning "no").« kakos» , which means "bad," and "« ethos» , which means "disposition." According to D.E. McDonnell, who wrote about it in "« Dictionary of Quotations"» in 1808, the word "cacoethes" was never written separately in the 19th century. One of the phrases is "cacoethes" scribendi», an irresistible desire to write, the other is «cacoethe s loquendi», an irresistible urge to speak. Many similar phrases were used centuries ago. (source)
9. "Avumbook"«
A Baining word used to describe the feeling of emptiness we experience when guests leave.
Have you ever felt like a house becomes completely empty, and the walls seem to echo when the people who lived there leave? This feeling is called "« avumbuk". The Baining people of Papua New Guinea believed that those who depart leave behind a heaviness to ease their own journey. They said this feeling lasts for three days, leaving those remaining feeling oppressed. As a ritual to counteract this heaviness, the Baining filled a bowl with water and left it overnight, then poured the water onto a tree in the morning before returning to their daily routine. (source)