Exploring New Words and Phrases: A Literary Adventure
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Chapter 1: Introduction to New Vocabulary
This segment is part of an ongoing exploration of fresh words and phrases, gathered during literary journeys into the vast and often hidden realms of language. The specimens showcased here are novel to me, though you may already be familiar with some—or all—of them. I invite you to challenge yourself by seeing how many you recognize!
Julep — A sweet beverage made from sugar syrup, it may also include alcohol or medicinal ingredients. The term is often associated with the mint julep, which even has its own national celebration.
Loomis — This term refers to “The Loomis Method,” a streamlined technique for drawing the human head from various perspectives by simplifying it into basic geometric shapes. It too enjoys its own day of recognition.
Snus — A form of tobacco packaged like a small sachet, similar to a tea bag, which is placed beneath the lip to deliver nicotine into the bloodstream. Notably, a recent article discussed the prevalence of snus among professional football players:
Section 1.1: Cultural References
YBA — This acronym stands for Young British Artist, a term featured in discussions about the artist Tracy Emin:
In a compelling article, her transformation is chronicled as she emerges from a tumultuous period to create significant new art.
Squamous — The same article mentions this adjective, which describes a surface covered with or characterized by scales; it also pertains to a type of epithelium composed of thin, flattened cells.
From the book “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed:
- Manzanita — A small, evergreen shrub native to California that is related to the bearberry.
- Chaparral — A type of vegetation primarily made up of tangled shrubs and thorny plants.
Subsection 1.1.1: Intriguing Scientific Terms
Metameres — In biological contexts, this term refers to a series of body segments that are fundamentally similar in structure, although not all structures are identical in any single organism due to specialized functions.
Chronoception — The ability to perceive the duration, sequence, and timing of events.
Tsundoku — A delightful term I discovered on a chalkboard outside a bookstore, referring to the act of acquiring books and letting them accumulate without reading them. Sound familiar?
Bonnacon — A mythical creature resembling a bull with inward-curving horns and a mane like a horse. Medieval texts often depict its reddish-brown or black fur. This creature is known for its unusual defense mechanism, which involves expelling caustic feces at attackers.
Section 1.2: Modern Expressions
“Tech debt” — This phrase, encountered in an article by Raphael Moutard, signifies outdated computer code that remains untouched long after it should have been updated.
Cimbalino — A term suggested by Rui Alves, referring to what Portuguese speakers request instead of simply asking for an espresso.
Conniption — An informal noun representing a fit of rage or extreme distress; it appears in discussions around the chaotic environment on platforms like Medium.
Cancellous — An adjective describing bone tissue that features a mesh-like structure filled with numerous pores, typical of mature bones.
I hope you find joy in this collection, and feel free to share your own favorite terms in the comments!
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