Epistrix

several doors standing in a dark room

Epistrix

n.
a disconcerting cluster of endings that all seem to happen at once; a random barrage of departures and closures and divorces and series finales and celebrity deaths, which leaves you anxiously aware that the author of your story seems to be wrapping up an awful lot of loose ends.

Ancient Greek ἐπὶ- (epi-), on top of + ὕστριξ (hystrix), a porcupine. To sit on a porcupine is to feel the pain of too many endings all at once. Pronounced “ih-pis-triks.”

La Cuna

Cover image for the La Cuna word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Clockwise

a close-up of flower along with polaroid pictures

Boorance

a group of objects on a table

Momophobia

Cover image for the Momophobia word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Heart Of Aces

a person covering their eyes with their hands

Daguerreologue

Daguer-reologue

a man sitting in blurred silhouette at a desk