English Words Lost in Translation

So last time I made a list of foreign words that translate badly into English. This time, I present you with a list of words that translate poorly into other languages. Love it or hate it, feel apathetic about it or bored of it, English remains one of the richest languages in the world with (arguably) the most number of words. Whether they are borrowed and butchered, coined or meshed together, some English words truly have no worthy equivalents.

Serendipity - good luck or good fortune, usually referring to the aptitude of befalling such luck by accident

Googly - a bowled ball that swerves in one direction and breaks in the other

Inchoate - rudimentary, not completely or fully developed; just begun or incipient; unorganized

Awe - a profound feeling of reverence or admiration; fear; usually produced by something that is sublime, powerful, or grand (archaic definition: power to inspire fear or reverence; obsolete definition: fear or dread)

Copperhead - a Northern Democrat during the U.S. Civil War era who opposed the war and supported peaceful reconciliation of the Union even at the cost of continued slavery

Skite - a quick, oblique blow or stroke; a shopping blow; butt of a joke or prank; a joke or prank (Australia: to boast or brag)

Jaywalk - to cross the street at a location that is outside the regular crossing lines for pedestrians; or, to cross heedlessly as against a red light or diagonally

Quaint - eerie, strange, peculiar, or unusual in an amusing, interesting, or pleasing way; cleverly or skillfully made; having an old-fashioned attractiveness or charm; oddly picturesque

Blaxploitation - exploitation of Black people, especially in movies that feature or intend to appeal to the Black population

Today's Random Picture:

10-10-10

Just had to post that it was October 10th of 2010. Yeah, I know it's childish and all but I can't help but think that dates that these come about a handful of times in a millennium and it's also a date that's universal everywhere. In Sweden, in France, in the U.S.... where normally the different arrangements of month, day, and year may cause confusion in other circumstances. 


Since I'm going to post on the date, I might as well update my otherwise neglected blog. My program (or as the British would write "programme" or "course") started on the 5th and so far things seem to be OK. I've adjusted to the time difference, found a place to stay (living with my ex-boyfriend's friend for the semester in a small but comfortable 2-bedroom "flat" aka apartment), and I've made a few acquaintances here. Not much else to say at this point about my program or my life here since courses started less than a week ago and I haven't been here long enough to judge. 


Oh, there has been on rather strange development. I'm realizing how easily influenced I am concerning English accents. I've already started dreaming in British English and sometimes I find myself consciously making an effort to speak American English. Lately, British intonation, style, and to an extent, accent, have been popping out of my mouth when I speak English. It's really bizarre. Perhaps it's because I'm surrounded by Britons with very "proper" British accents and that's usually the only English I interact with during the day or perhaps I'm just extremely easily influenced. Whatever the case, I imagine it will be very strange to talk to my mother once (or perhaps more) times a week, conscious of my accent and intonation, very aware of her dislike of the British accents.


Today's Random Picture: 
The British Isles and Ireland and the literal meaning of the city names. That's right, "London" actually means "hill fort" =D