The following is reprinted from Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader: World of Odd. Americans excel at inventing colorful expressions and slang, but it turns out other countries are pretty good at it, too. Here are a list of useful words from around the world that should've been invented for the English language: Kummerspeck (Germany): "Grief bacon" - the weight that you gain by overeating when you're worried about something. Attaccabottoni (Italy): A "buttonholer" - someone who corners casual acquaintances or even complete strangers for the purpose of telling them their miserable life stories. Modré Pondeli (Czech): "Blue Monday" - When you skip coming in to work to give yourself a three-day weekend. Razbliuto (Russia): The feeling you have for a person you used to love, but don't anymore. Shitta (Iran): Leftover dinner that's eaten for breakfast. Tartle (Scotland): To momentarily forget the name of the person you're talking to. The word helps reduce the social embarrassment of such situations: "I'm sorry, I tartled there for a moment." Pana po'o (Hawaii): To scratch your head in an attempt to remember something you've forgotten. Ngaobera (Easter Island): A sore throat caused by too much screaming. Backpfeifengesicht (Germany): A face that's just begging for somebody to put their fist in it. Papierkrieg (Germany): "Paper war" - bureaucratic paperwork whose only purpose is to block you from getting the refund, insurance payment, or other benefit that you have coming. Rujuk (Indonesia): To remarry your ex-wife. Mokita (New Guinea): The truth that everyone knows, but no one will speak about. Gorrero (Spain, Central America): Someone who never picks up the check. Fucha (Poland): Using your employer's time and resources for your own purposes. (Uncle John had never heard of such a thing and wanted to ask around the office if anyone else had, but everyone is still out to lunch.) Image: pink_fish13 [Flickr] |
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| The article above is reprinted with permission from Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Wonderful World of Odd. This book focuses on the odd-side of life and features articles like the strangest TV shows never made, the creepiest insect on Earth, odd medical conditions, and many, many more. Since 1988, the Bathroom Reader Institute had published a series of popular books containing irresistible bits of trivia and obscure yet fascinating facts. Check out their website here: Bathroom Reader Institute | |
The expression "red tape" comes from the medieval English bureaucracy, where official documents such as land deeds where made official with wax seals, which hung from the parchment or paper by red ribbons or cords. So the red ribbons came to be the name for any official document, specifically when overwhelming for a simple thing.
"Papierkrieg" is a more active notion, it suggests that you are actively involved in fighting with officials who deliberately try to prevent you from getting what you want
Uh, we do have a word for that.