Torschlusspanik. I think that's the German word that expresses how I feel right now, but I'm not exactly sure because I don't speak German. I love how languages other than English have simple words or expressions for feelings that can't quite be expressed as elegantly in English. German is especially strong here. Schadenfreude. Zeitgeist. Ohrwurm. Kitsch. Leitmotiv (leitmotif). Wanderlust. Gestalt. Angst. Fahrvergnügen. Doppelgänger.
The French lend a classy touch with their expressions. Many have English equivalents, but only in meaning, not in style, and others have been simply adopted by English speakers. Brouhaha. Fait accompli. Fin de siècle. Sang-froid. Joie de vivre. Nouveau riche. Raison d'être. Banal. A la mode. Vis-a-vis. Menage a trois. Déjà vu. Passe. Faux pas. Cordon bleu. Entourage. Connoisseur.
And the French even have the best expression for feelings that can't be expressed. She has a certain, uhmmm, je ne sais quoi.
Bon mot indeed.
Posted by eugene at December 14, 2003 1:30 AM