8 Comments
Apr 21, 2021Liked by Rob Walker

Morbid, but something I have thought about for years: There should be a word for the first book you obtain which, even if you stopped buying books, or going to the library, and simply read the ones you have, the book would be the one you could not ever finish before you die.

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Apr 25, 2021Liked by Rob Walker

My retired cohort and I need a word for all the desk-based, meeting-heavy activities volunteers do. As a leader on two non-profit boards, I spend about 30 hours a week driving forward issues I care about it. When I was paid, this time was called "work". What do we call it when it's the same level of commitment and activity but we're not being paid?

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Apr 22, 2021Liked by Rob Walker

I’ve long been in search of the word that describes the feeling you experience when another middle aged person forgets a word, or can’t remember a basic fact, or messes up time zones. It’s not schadenfreude, because you aren’t taking pleasure in their misfortune. Rather, it’s intense relief that forgetfulness is normal, especially now.

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Apr 22, 2021Liked by Rob Walker

Waking up on the wrong side of the bed: bedslump.

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author

Another reader tells me: "Actually the missing word seems to exist: matulolypea, although morning-mourning should work as well." https://www.haggardhawks.com/post/matutolypea

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I wish there was a word for the feeling of waking up just a few minutes before the alarm starts ringing, where you're sleepy and try to rest a little longer but knowing it won't be the same. You're glad it's not wake up time yet, but also angry that you missed some precious extra minutes.

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