Reviewed by Gloria Wahl


“The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” was published in 2021, having first been launched as a website and a YouTube channel by John Koenig.  He describes it as a compendium of new words for emotions. 

He writes “all words in the dictionary are new.  Some were rescued from the trash heap and redefined, others were invented from whole cloth, but most were stitched together from fragments of a hundred different languages, both living and dead.”


Here are a few examples: 


Chrysalism: a noun.  The amniotic tranquility of being indoors during a thunderstorm.  (from the Latin chrysalis, the pupa of a butterfly.)


McFeely: an adjective.  Inexplicably moved by predictable and well-worn sentiments, even if they’re trite or obvious.  (from the middle name of Mr. Rogers, who notably told his viewers “you are loved; you are enough.”)


Scabulous: an adjective.  Proud of a certain scar on your body, which is like an autograph signed to you by a world grateful for your continued willingness to play with her, even if it hurts.  (combining the words scab + fabulous)


Watashiato: a noun.  A curiosity about the impact you’ve had on the lives of the people you know, wondering which of your harmless actions or long-forgotten words might have altered the plot of their stories in ways you’ll never get to see.  (from the Japanese watashi, I + ashiato, footprint)


Hailbound: an adjective.  Mysteriously compelled to wave to passing strangers on a country road, a mountain path or a remote stretch of water.  (from hail, to greet + bound, being obliged)


Etterath: a noun.  The feeling of emptiness after a long and arduous process is finally complete – having finished school, recovered from surgery or gone home at the end of your wedding – which leaves you relieved that it’s over but missing the stress that organized your life into a mission.  (from the Norwegian etter, after + råtne, decay.)


Suerza: a noun.  A feeling of quiet amazement that you exist at all; a sense of gratitude that you were even born in the first place, that you somehow emerged alive and breathing despite all odds, having won an unbroken streak of reproductive lotteries that stretches all the way back to the beginning of life itself.  (from the Spanish suerte, luck + fuerza, force)


I found “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” during my volunteer position reshelving items. If you’d like to share one of your latest finds at the library, speak to a member of the staff about the Reading Between the Lines Team. And please – “Tune in next Sunday morning at this same time (9:35 a.m.) for Reading Between the Lines right here on KBBI AM 890, Homer, and 88.1 FM, Seward.”