Fool’s Guilt

Cover image for the Fool’s Guilt word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Fool’s Guilt

n.
a pulse of shame you feel even though you’ve done nothing wrong— passing a police car while under the speed limit, being carded after legally ordering a drink, or exiting a store without buying anything.

From fool’s gold + guilt. Also known as a reverse Alford plea, whereby you plead innocent to all charges but want the judge to know that you feel kinda guilty anyway.

Lap Year

several people racing bicycles uphill in a forest

Momophobia

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

Hem-Jawed

an abstract image of someone touching their face

Idlewild

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

Dolorblindness

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

O’Erpine

a person looking at a grave