Other-Wordly

This blog is about strange and lovely words. Sometimes those are words that can’t be translated; sometimes they’re words for feelings we’ve felt but never been able to name; sometimes they’re just words that sound good.

[other-wordly]

words to surprise, delight, and enamor: terms for the sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees, for dancing awkwardly but with relish, for the look shared by two people who each wish the other would speak first—

for lovers of words and those lost for words alike.

↣ the Other-Wordly book by Yee-Lum Mak. available here or in a bookstore near you

[other-wordly]

words to surprise, delight, and enamor: terms for the sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees, for dancing awkwardly but with relish, for the look shared by two people who each wish the other would speak first—

for lovers of words and those lost for words alike.

↣ the Other-Wordly book by Yee-Lum Mak. available here or in a bookstore near you

[other-wordly]

[other-wordly]

pronunciation | yo-‘kOt-tah

[other-wordly]

Hello there!~ I really-really-really like this blog. The idea to collect untranslatables and in general - other-wordly expressions is wonderful, in my humble opinion. My question is, however - could you say that this blog also doubles as a dictionary? With so much work and dedication clearly put into it - I would say that it deserves to be acknowledged as a proper dictionary. *-*

I’m really-really-really glad you like it!

I wouldn’t call it a dictionary, although other people have called it that before. I think a dictionary’s main purpose is to inform. A good dictionary is clear, concise, and helps teach you the right way to use words so that you can use them yourself properly and powerfully.

My main purpose is simply to entertain and interest people. These words aren’t necessarily ones that will be easily usable, although I love hearing from people when something from this blog inspires them to make some cool art or writing. I just pick words that captivate and delight me, and hope that they do the same for you.

So I think the two things are similar, but also different in what they bring to readers. Plus, I definitely struggle to be concise on this blog! I don’t think I could do what dictionary writers do.

[other-wordly]

pronunciation | nats-ka-'shE (nahtzkah-SHEE) Japanese | 懐かしい tip | The final pronunciation doesn't really have an "oo" sound in it.

[other-wordly]

pronunciation | swon-'nyA

[other-wordly]

What is Zealous? help!

"As she looked, aghast, at the pony that was tethered in her front lawn and munching comfortably on her flowers, she realized how just how alarmingly she’d underestimated his zeal to impress her. She’d also underestimated the size of his bank account and his brain: impossibly vast and impossibly tiny, respectively.

'I did not mean it when I said I wanted a pony,' she explained to him later through gritted teeth.

He looked surprised. ‘You didn’t?’”

Zeal is the noun form. Usually, you’re zealous for a cause or purpose. It means you’re super-eager and super-committed to making something happen, and you’ll go to great lengths for it. It can have a bit of a negative connotation, and it’s more often seen in the form overzealous, which is being excessively eager, to the point of being a fanatic.

[other-wordly]

Hi there! I recently stumbled upon your blog and absolutely fell in love with you wordsmithery! I'd like to ask you a favour; I am planning my wedding for mid-2014 (yay) and have an idea to add small cards to each guest's seat - each with a definition that matches his/her personality. I'd like to ask your for your permission to take some of these definitions from your site. I'll make sure to keep your address on them and credit you in some way :) Regards, Krystal

That sounds like a brilliant idea! Absolutely, go for it. I appreciate the credit. Congratulations and best wishes to both of you!

[other-wordly]

pronunciation | 'kI-ros (KYE-ross, English); kEr-'os (keer-OSS, Greek) Greek | καιρός note | Kairos is both a rhetorical term for "the opportune moment" (as above) and the word for "weather".

[other-wordly]

make a facebook page for these? Please please please

You’re welcome! Otherwordly on Facebook

I have Twitter and Pinterest too, if those are more your thing. I’m also going to start an Instagram, but two someones I don’t know have registered both “otherwordly” and “otherwordly_” and started posting things from my blog without me, so… I’ll have to think about that one a little longer. But come check out Otherwordly at these other neat places.

If you registered either of those Instagram accounts, I’d love to speak to you, so send me an ask or an email—thanks!

[other-wordly]

pronunciation | 'RAs-fA-ber (RACE-fay-ber)

[other-wordly]

are you still alive? please be more active ;)

kinda been a permanent passenger on the struggle bus lately but I deeply appreciate all of you guys and your continued support and messages (especially the “are you alive??” ones). as my thank-you, I’ll post a word tomorrow or bust. much love to everyone.

(for the folks sharing a seat with me)

[other-wordly]

pronunciation | se-ren

[other-wordly]

pronunciation | guan-'shi

[other-wordly]

pronunciation | de-'rEv

[other-wordly]

pronunciation | 'nU-mi-nus note | The word originated in religious usage, but it can be applied to natural experiences as well as supernatural. It can also mean "suggesting the presence of something holy or divine".

[other-wordly]

pronunciation | 'sE-yazh notes | sillage is how close a perfume stays to your skin; perfume with light sillage does not leave much trace in the air. also, not to be confused with silage (sy-ladzh), which is a type of cow food.