Trueholding

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

Trueholding

n.
the act of trying to keep an amazing discovery to yourself, fighting the urge to shout about it from the rooftops because you’re afraid that it’ll end up being diluted and distorted, and will no longer have been created just for you.

In the Tolkien legendarium, Trahald is the true name of Sméagol (Gollum), a creature who spent centuries hiding in dark wet caves, enthralled in jealous worship of his precious enchanted ring.

Pithered

stacks of papers and folders piled high on a table

Nilous

a person standing at a bus terminal

Licotic

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

Starlorn

snow flakes in the dark

Mimeomia

a person wearing an animal onesie garment

The Til

Cover image for the The Til word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows