Have you ever been in that situation when meeting new people, where a word slips into the conversation, and you have absolutely no idea what it means. Staring vacantly, slowly nodding your head, you just go along with it, hoping you won’t get found out.
So we thought we’d help switch things around a little, and give you the literary upper hand when it comes to one to one verbal combat (that’s another way of saying conversation).
Here are just a few of our favourite words you probably never knew existed.
Kitsukuroi (kin-tsu-ku-roi)
This lovely little word comes from Japan and literally means: ‘to repair with liquid gold, and to understand that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken’.
Probably not one to slip into casual conversation, but perfect for those deep, philosophical chats after one too many glasses of wine.
Esoteric (ess-o-teric)
If something is purposely intended to be understood by a specific group of people only, then its esoteric.
The best example of something being esoteric is a private joke between friends. So hopefully you’ll get the chance to share a few of these at your next MixingOut event.
Belghard (bel-ghard)
No, it’s not an otherworldly demon from Lord Of The Rings – although it certainly sounds like one – belghard derives from the Italian bel guardo (lovely look) and means a kind of loving look.
So the next time you’re at a MixingOut event and you spot somebody giving you a belghard, you’ll know it might be worth your while to go over and say hello. Which leads us nicely on to…
Duende (doo-en-day)
Somebody who possesses duende has the ability to attract others through personal magnetism and charm. Which might come in handy when you’re on an event full of pretty ladies or good looking fellas.
Bumfuzzle (bum-fuzzle)
Quite simply, to perplex, confuse and fluster. Which is probably the very reaction you’ll receive the next time you tell somebody that you’re ‘completely bumfuzzled’.