Word Lovers Unite

Summary

The web content introduces the concept of "anemoia" from the "Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows," a term describing nostalgia for a time one has never known, and highlights the author's appreciation for new words that capture complex emotions.

Abstract

The article "Word Lovers Unite" discusses the creation of new words to encapsulate elusive human emotions, focusing on the term "anemoia" from the "Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows." This book, authored by John Koenig, provides definitions for feelings that lacked words before, such as the nostalgia for a past one has never experienced. The author expresses a deep connection with these newly coined words, which include "des Vu" (the awareness of a moment becoming a memory), "moment of tangency" (a glimpse of an alternate reality), "Sonder" (the realization of each person's unique story), and "Morii" (the desire to preserve a fleeting moment). The article encourages word enthusiasts to explore these terms through videos and consider obtaining the dictionary to enrich their vocabulary without any commercial affiliation.

Opinions

The author values genuine friendships and a higher standard of living, both publicly and privately.
There is an appreciation for the depth and nuance that the new words from the "Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows" bring to the English language.
The author feels a sense of loss or longing, akin to nostalgia, for a time they have never known, which is encapsulated by the word "anemoia."
John Koenig's work is seen as a valuable resource for writers and word lovers, providing a means to articulate previously ineffable emotions.
The article's author encourages others to engage with Koenig's work, suggesting that readers would benefit from exploring the new vocabulary introduced in the "Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows."

Word Lovers Unite

There’s a New Dictionary in Town

Pixabay.com

A friend and I were recently in an online forum. I was talking about how wonderful it would be to live in an age or time when friendships are real and true, and people strive to live up to a higher standard, not just in public but in every aspect of their lives.

My friend told me a word had already been invented for this feeling: anemoia. It is defined as nostalgia for a time you’ve never known. The word is included in a book titled Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.

Concerning anemoia, author John Koenig says in a video, “Some days you will feel sad without knowing why. Like you lost something very precious but forgot what it was, or like you miss someone you never met.”

There are several videos about new words the author has coined to define the emotions we feel as humans. As a writer, I fell in love with these words. How could I not — with new words to define (1) the awareness that this will become a memory (des Vu), (2) a glimpse of what might have been (moment of tangency), (3) the realization that everyone has a story (Sonder), and (4) Morii: the desire to capture a fleeting experience.

As a community of wordsmiths, you owe it to yourselves to check out the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. I have no affiliate links for you, but I do plan on getting my own copy online. Several of the words are available in videos online and you can enjoy them for free just by searching the name of the book.