Wellium

Wellium

n.
an excuse you come up with to rationalize a disappointing outcome— telling yourself you weren’t in the mood for that sold-out show anyway, that your safety school is actually a better fit, that your dream job might have been a bit too stressful.

From the phrase “Well, I... um...,” which typically precedes such an excuse. Pronounced “wel-ee- uhm.”

Incidental Contact High

Cover image for the Incidental Contact High word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Scrough

a person working on the sidewalk

Alpha Exposure

a close-up of a baby with diffusion filter

Rasque

close-up of the shards of a broken vase

The Standard Blues

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

Burn Upon Reentry

Cover image for the Burn Upon Reentry word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows