Momophobia

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

Momophobia

n.
the fear of speaking off the cuff or from the heart; the terror of saying the wrong thing and having to watch someone’s smile fade as they realize you’re not who they thought you were.

Ancient Greek μῶμος (momos), blemish, disgrace + -φοβία (-phobía), fear. Momus was the Ancient Greek god of mockery and harsh criticism. Pronounced “moh-muh-foh-bee-uh.”

Alpha Exposure

a close-up of a baby with diffusion filter

Star-Stuck

a man walking towards a door with a large question mark

Knellish

a blurry image of a person lying on a bed

Lap Year

several people racing bicycles uphill in a forest

Innity

a neatly made bed with diffused light glowing

Feresy

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