Culture words

hijinks

Playful, mischievous, or boisterous activity.

paya

A traditional South Asian soup or stew made from slow-cooked goat or sheep trotters,…

picaresque

A style of storytelling or film characterized by a series of loosely connected episodes…

jigs

Specialized tools or devices used in manufacturing and fabrication to hold, support, or…

offcuts

Pieces or remnants of material left over after a larger piece has been cut or shaped for…

diskos

A shallow, plate-like liturgical vessel used in the Orthodox Church to carry the…

gilt

Covered thinly with a layer of gold or a substance that looks like gold.

lino

Short for linoleum, used here as a shorthand for a printmaking technique where a design…

earnestness

The quality of being sincere, serious, and having an intense, deep conviction about a…

satirising

To use irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to expose and criticize the follies or vices of a…

impermanence

The state or fact of not lasting forever; the quality of being temporary, fleeting, or…

existentialism

A philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and the…

ostentation

The act of displaying wealth, status, or knowledge in an exaggerated or pretentious way…

decentering

The act of intentionally shifting one's focus and psychological energy away from men and…

decentered

To shift one's focus away from men as the primary center or priority in one's life, in…

decentre

To remove someone or something from a position of central importance or primary focus.

masochistic

Characterized by an unhealthy or self-destructive tendency to obsess over, prioritize, or…

telekinesis

The supposed ability to move or manipulate physical objects at a distance using only the…

recontextualises

To view or interpret something in a new or different context, which shifts the meaning or…

colorist

A photographer or artist who specializes in or is known for their skillful use and…

broch

A type of prehistoric drystone hollow-walled structure found in Scotland, typically…

parapet

A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or terrace.

ruinous

In a state of severe decay, deterioration, or collapse due to neglect.

outpitching

The act of performing better than another baseball pitcher in a single game or…

dramedy

A film, television show, or theatrical production that blends elements of both drama and…

sonnet

A poem of fourteen lines using any of a number of formal rhyme schemes, traditionally…

actorly

Relating to or characteristic of the profession, skills, or mannerisms of an actor.

miscast

To have been chosen for a role in a movie or play that does not fit one's abilities,…

underseen

Not watched or appreciated by a large number of people; overlooked by the general public.

deadpan

A manner of speaking or acting that is deliberately emotionless, impassive, or…

concave

Curving inward like the interior of a bowl or circle.

collieries

Coal mines and their associated buildings or facilities.

colonnaded

Featuring or consisting of a series of columns set at regular intervals, often supporting…

chiton

An ancient Greek garment worn by both men and women, typically consisting of a…

himation

An outer garment consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth draped over the shoulders and…

tentpole

A major, high-budget motion picture or franchise expected to generate significant revenue…

chapbook

A small, inexpensive booklet or pamphlet, typically containing poetry or short literary…

ekphrastic

Relating to or being a form of poetry that provides a vivid description of, or an…

savant

A person who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliant intelligence in a specific area,…

hobbits

A fictional race of small human-like beings characterized by their short stature, hairy…

orcs

Fictional, humanoid, often monstrous creatures, typically depicted as aggressive, fierce…

telepathic

Relating to the supposed communication of thoughts or sensations from one person to…

multiversal

Relating to or involving multiple distinct universes that exist simultaneously.

pining

Experiencing a deep longing or yearning, often resulting from the loss or absence of…

mutton

The flesh of mature sheep used as food.

sheepherder

A person whose primary job is to tend, guard, and manage a flock of sheep, particularly…

aplomb

Self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation.

lampoon

To publicly criticize or ridicule someone or something through mocking imitation, satire,…