THERE’S A WORD FOR IT—THOUGH NOT IN ENGLISH

MARIKA PRICE SPITULSKI SHARES “16 Heartwarming Words and Phrases That Don’t Have an English Equivalent,” in Nice News, April 27,  2024. Here’s a selection of them, some new to me though familiar to Daughter Suz (who’s evidently much more hep).

Soubhiyé Lebanese Arabic. “Back in February 2023,” Marika recounts, “Merriam-Webster asked non-native English speakers to share words from their native language they thought were ‘perfect’ but don’t ‘have an English equivalent.’ Among the submissions was ‘soubhiyé’: a Lebanese Arabic word that means the quiet time in the morning when you’re the only one awake and have time for yourself.”

Well, not counting my cat pal πwachet, I am the only one awake at 6:00 a.m. Pacific for my morning ritual of listening to BBS World Service News, performing a final editing of the day’s SimanaitisSays, catching up on-line with Voice of America and The New York Times, and completing the latter’s Connections and Strands. Not exactly the pensive moments that soubhiyé implies. 

This soubhiyé isn’t completely to myself as π comes in to let me know the house was safe overnight. (He’s my watchcat.)

Fika Swedish. “Fika” (pronounced fee-kuh) is the Swedish concept of taking a coffee and pastry break,” says Marika. Daughter Suz recognized this one. “But it’s more than a mere descriptor—it’s also an important ritual for connecting with friends and co-workers and taking time for yourself. Used as both a verb and a noun, fikas can happen anytime and anywhere, whether it’s at home on your couch or at a cafe, per the Scandinavian travel agency Nordic Visitor,” Marika says.

Meraki Greek. Marika describes, “Pronounced may-rah-kee, ‘meraki‘ is a Greek word that captures the idea of putting your soul into something you’re doing, whether it’s pursuing a hobby, setting a table, or moving your body. If you’re focusing fully on one thing and putting passion into that thing, that’s meraki.”

I know meraki well in several of my life’s endeavors. My GMax design of vintage aeroplanes is an all-focussing and extremely satifsying time-gobble. 

My GMax 1911 Tatin-Paulin Aéro-Torpille. 

By contrast, the research and composition of SimanaitisSays are more multitasking activities demanding less focus.

An activity offering me meraki has been driving exceptional automobiles, particularly race cars. See “Short Ride in a Formula Ford.” It is supremely “focusing fully on one thing.” It had better be.

Here’s one of my meraki moments in a Formula Ford. 

Sobremesa Spanish. Marika describes, “In Spanish, ‘sobre’ means ‘over’ and ‘mesa’ means ‘table,’ so ‘sobremesa‘ means ‘over the table.’ But the word encapsulates so much more than its literal translation. It’s used to represent the special time after a meal is finished when everyone lingers at the table to socialize and enjoy one another’s company.”

I recall a multitude of such lingerings in restaurants around the world. Daughter Suz knew the word as well.

Ichi-go Ichi-e Japanese. Says Marika, “Interpreted as ‘for this time only’ or ‘once in a lifetime,’ ‘ichi-go ichi-e’ is a Japanese proverb dating back to 16th century tea ceremonies that describes the concept of cherishing the moment as it cannot be repeated. It’s commonly used as a reminder to make the most of every gathering and encounter.”

She says, “How to embrace ichi-go ichi-e: Take time to pause throughout your day and appreciate all the sights, sounds, smells, and little moments that are non-replicable.”

To me, the phrase ichi-go ichi-e evokes Japan’s Little World, as well as Tegernsee touring, Munich’s Marienplatz, and “We’ll Always Have Paris.”

Hurkle-Durkle Scottish. This one, Marika says, “is a 19th century Scottish term for lounging in bed ‘when one should be up and about,’ per The Scotsman. (Basically, ‘bed rotting,’ the Scottish edition.)”

Marika advises, “How to embrace hurkle-durkle: Take time to cozy up underneath your sheets and stay awhile. The to-do list can wait.” 

It’s a pity I’m so compulsive about BBC World Service, SimanaitisSays, VoA, The New York Times, and its puzzles. ds

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2024