I have a thing for new words, and I like this one. It’s a perfect concept to focus on since I’m stuck in a nasty headspace- one which could be described as tumultuous, rowdy at best. Because I don’t want to take credit for discovering this word, I’ll direct you to the del.icio.us of Jeff Werner, a fellow Emily Carr design student who is currently studying in the Netherlands. He just linked to the Wikipedia article, which is terribly interesting if you’re a fan of learning new words.

Gemütlichkeit, in short, is a word that means something akin to being cosy or comfortable, but in a more overall way- like the feeling of being accepted by your peers, or satisfied with the time you’re spending without the burden of feeling stressed or uncomfortable. I like the Gestalt of the word (funny, that word also being of Teutonic origins) as the enveloping feeling, or the all-encompassing comfort of the good things that come out of being a somewhat social creature. Good stuff, I could use more of that kind of living right now.

I’ll be looking more into this concept, definitely.


Subscribe to comments Both comments and pings are currently closed. |
Post Tags:

Browse Timeline


Comments ( 5 )

Here’s a good one for you that might be new: hagiography. It’s the study of saints, and is also used to describe an overly flattering or reverential biography.

I knew this one already, but heard it pronounced differently. I went and check and, in fact, it’s a hard ‘g’. Well, I guess both g’s are hard. And the initial ‘a’ rhymes with ‘bag’.

Darren Barefoot added these pithy words on Apr 08 08 at 09:46

while you are at it, you might want to look up “mohnkuchen”

mohnkuchen always fills me with gemütlichkeit :-)

Roland Tanglao added these pithy words on Apr 08 08 at 13:44

oooooh, roland that looks delicious. i’m going to have to make some. maybe i’ll bring some to you.

thanks for the word, darren! i’ll look into it. :3

stephanie vacher added these pithy words on Apr 08 08 at 23:26

hermeneutics

Bill Lee added these pithy words on Apr 09 08 at 16:06

Also: in Danish the word is ‘hygge’ and from what I’ve read and been told, it’s strongest in that Scandinavian country.

Barefoot brings up hagiography, which I first learned through that most Canadian and accomplished of authors, Robertson Davies, who was a ‘saint hunter’ in both his personal and written life. I highly recommend his Deptford Trilogy, which has elements of hagiography.

And finally, do you know the word skookum? I grew up with that term (meaning something is robust and totally sweet) and recently found out it’s only known here in the Pacific North West / BC area. It’s a Chinook jargon word.

Jeff Werner added these pithy words on Jul 20 08 at 02:10

© 2009 Stephanie Vacher . All rights reserved :]