തൊട്ടാവാടി - thottavadi (touch-me-not) is not only that cool plant that closes its leaves when touched, but it is also a word we use to describe a person who is very പാവം - paavam (innocent) or highly sensitive. It is colloquial and the meaning varies from district to district. We might hear someone on a college campus say: വിടടാ, അവൻ ഒരു തൊട്ടാവാടിയാ - Vidada, avan oru thottavaadiya* Leave him, he's a sensitive soul. *We've heard from some sources that this word is more commonly used to refer to women and children. Perhaps because of the stereotype of these groups being 'emotional' or because until recently men didn't really express their emotions . So we figured we should change it up. ;) VC: Jyo Photographer Check her out here: https://www.facebook.com/Jyo-photographer-241780485959014/ Dedicated to @thottaa-vaadi whose username inspired us to write about this.
