One of my things on my 101 in 1000 days list is to learn new English words. One Hundred to be precise. I have been collecting words I didn’t know – in conversations, books, blogposts and such. I am honest… I could probably not translate all of them or use many of them in a real life conversation – as of today – but I am getting there. Today, I am sharing the next 25 words on the list. This time we are looking at nouns. I found this English teacher on YouTube who explains most of my following words. It’s really educational to listen to him. Let’s dive in, shall we?
- Exuberance – German: Ausgelassenheit, Überschwang, Überschwänglichkeit – Exuberance is a noun that means joyful enthusiasm, high energy, and lively, cheerful behavior. (Word provided by the book „Gerta“ by Kateřina Tučková)
- Flounces – German: Volants – Flounces are cut in a circular or spiral (donut-like) shape rather than a straight line. They lie completely flat and smooth at the seam where they attach to a garment, concentrating the flare and volume toward the outer edge. Different construction to ruffles. (Word provided by the book „I who have never known man“ by Jacqueline Harpman)
- Slattern – German: Schlampe, ungepflegte Person – Slattern is a rare, old-fashioned, and offensive English noun that describes a woman who is dirty, untidy, or careless about her appearance and home.(Word provided by the book „Three Apples Fell from the Sky“ by Narine Abgaryan)
- Debility – German: Schwäche, Schwachsinn, Debilität* – Debility means physical or mental weakness, often caused by illness, injury, or old age. *In German no longer used for medical descriptions. (Word provided by the book „The Ministry of Time“ by Kaliane Bradley )
- Numpty – German: Trottel – A numpty is an insult, a friendly or mild British slang word for a silly, foolish, or clumsy person. (Word provided by the book „The Ministry of Time“ by Kaliane Bradley)
- Imperturbability – German: Gelassenheit, Unerschütterlichkeit – Imperturbability is the quality of staying completely calm, steady, and cool, even during hard or stressful situations. (Word provided by the book „I who have never known man“ by Jacqueline Harpman)
- Mullioned Window – German: Sprossenfenster – A mullioned window is a window that is divided into smaller sections by a vertical bar or divider known as a mullion. (Word provided by the book „The Art of Inheriting Secrets“ by Barbara O’Neal)
- Wainscoting – German: Vertäfelung – Wainscoting is a type of decorative and protective wood paneling applied to the lower portion of an interior wall. (Word provided by the book „Laws of Love and Logic“ by Debra Curtis)
- Brolly – German: Regenschirm – Brolly is an informal British slang word for an umbrella. (Word provided by the book „The Art of Inheriting Secrets“ by Barbara O’Neal)
- Sycophancy – German: Speichelleckerei, Kriecherei – Sycophancy is the behavior of praising powerful, rich, or important people in an insincere way to gain an advantage. AI models are often sycophant to us. (Word provided by my AI course)
- Steeplechase – German: Hürdenlauf, Hindernislauf – A steeplechase is an obstacle-based race in athletics (track and field) or horse racing. (Word provided by the book „The Art of Inheriting Secrets“ by Barbara O’Neal)
- Clout – German: Einfluss, Macht – Clout primarily means power, influence, or the ability to shape decisions, but it can also mean a physical hit or blow. (Word provided by the book „Unorthodox“ by Deborah Feldman)
- Vitriol – German: Giftigkeit, Vitriol – Vitriol means harsh, bitter, or venomous language that is intended to deeply hurt or criticize someone. (Word provided by the book „Tropic Envy“ by Nate van Coops)
- Mien – German: Miene, Gesichtsausdruck – Mien is a formal or literary English word that means a person’s outward look, facial expression or general manner that shows how they are feeling or thinking. (Word provided by the book „Three Apples Fell from the Sky“ by Narine Abgaryan)
- Heifer – German: Färse – A heifer is a young female cow that has not yet given birth to a calf. (Word provided by the book „Three Apples Fell from the Sky“ by Narine Abgaryan)
- Layette – German: Babyausstattung – A layette is a complete set of clothing, bedding, and accessories prepared for a newborn baby. (Word provided by the book „Three Apples Fell from the Sky“ by Narine Abgaryan)
- Affliction – German: Leiden, Gebrechen, Kummer, Elend, Trübsal, Bedrängnis – An affliction is a noun that means anything causing deep physical or mental suffering, pain, or distress. (Word provided by the book „Three Apples Fell from the Sky“ by Narine Abgaryan)
- Fratricide – German: Brudermord – Fratricide means the act of killing one’s own brother or sister, or a person who commits this act. (Word provided by the book „Songlines“ by Bruce Chatwin)
- Dirge – German: Klagelied, Trauerlied – A dirge is a slow, sad song or poem written to express grief and mourning, usually performed at a funeral or as a memorial for someone who has died. (Word provided by the book „Songlines“ by Bruce Chatwin)
- Perenty – German: Riesenwaran – A perenty (also spelled perentie) is the largest monitor lizard in Australia and one of the biggest lizards in the world. (Word provided by the book „Songlines“ by Bruce Chatwin)
- Octogenarian – German: Achzigjährige:r – An octogenarian is a person who is between 80 and 89 years old. (Word provided by the book „The Last Flight“ by Julie Clark)
- Dunce – German: Dummkopf, Einfaltspinsel, Hohlkopf – A dunce is a person who is slow to learn, foolish, or not very smart. (Word provided by the book „Three Apples Fell from the Sky“ by Narine Abgaryan)
- Trivet – German: Dreifuß, Untersetzer – A trivet is a heat-resistant object or stand placed between a hot pot, pan, or dish and a table or countertop to protect the surface from heat damage. (Word provided by the book „Three Apples Fell from the Sky“ by Narine Abgaryan)
- Marsupial – German: Beuteltier – A marsupial is a type of mammal whose babies are born very early and finish growing inside a special pouch on the mother’s body. (Word provided by the book „Songlines“ by Bruce Chatwin)
- Harpsichord – German: Cembalo – A harpsichord is a keyboard instrument that creates sound by plucking its strings with small quills or plastic plectra instead of striking them with hammers. (Word provided by the book „Songlines“ by Bruce Chatwin)
So much for today. I am working on the next post where we look at adjectives and adverbs.
Is there a word you have never heard of? Is there a word you use quite regular? Is there a word in this list that I need to adopt immediately in my vocabulary? Is there a word you would never use? Any new favorite word on the list? Is there a word you are surprised I didn’t know?
