Fun Words From Around the World

Interesting words from around the world from boingboing.net.

Adam Jacot de Boinod wrote a book called The Meaning Of Tingo, “a collection of words and phrases from around the world.” Here are some of the words in the book (from a BBC article.

katahara itai: the action of laughing so much that one side of your abdomen hurts. (Japanese)

gigi rongak: the space between the teeth. (Malaysian)

bakku-shan: a girl who appears pretty from behind but not from the front. (Japanese)

nakkele: a man who licks whatever the food has been served on (Tulu).

Putzfimmel: a mania for cleaning. (German)

Backpfeifengesicht: a face that cries out for a fist in it. (German)

uitwaaien: walking in windy weather for fun. (Dutch)

igunaujannguaq (literally meaning frozen walrus carcass): The game involves the person in the centre of a ring trying to remain stiff as he is passed around the ring, hand over hand. (Inuit) Link