Foreign words we should start using:

SmallTown

SmallTown

Well-known member
Any good words we can still from foreign languages that we don't have?

I would say Sisu from Finland, a kind of stoic determination and grit

Also from Finland, though probably less useful: poronkusema - The distance a reindeer can walk before it has to urinate
 
Mencolek (Indonesian)

The old trick of tapping someone on the opposite shoulder to fool them.
 
Cognoscenti - Italian - People who are well informed or ‘in the know’

It could be adopted for the board, instead of referring to anyone as part of the ‘clique’ like on the old board, they could become the cognoscenti.
 
SmallTown said:
Any good words we can still from foreign languages that we don't have?

I would say Sisu from Finland, a kind of stoic determination and grit

Also from Finland, though probably less useful: poronkusema - The distance a reindeer can walk before it has to urinate
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Worked with a lot of Greeks and spent a lot of time there over the years and my favourite word is " Ella " ( sp ? )

I adopted the word way back in the seventies and to this day, use it frequently with my wife as she does with me.

They use the word for all sorts of situations.
It can mean come on, hurry up or in sporting terms to urge their team on.
They will answer the phone with an Ella which can mean either hello or what do you want.
It can also mean are you serious or are you kidding me.
Or used as a yes or an okay.
They also use the word when hearing of surprising news, or even, when angry. (" Ella malaka " when angry, pretty much means say that again and I'll smack you one ) :D

Probably a whole lot more uses as well that I don't know about.
 
Although on a more serious note. I love the french word terroir. Mainly used when talking about wine, but can be used to describe anything that has environmental factors which affect its individuality.
 
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Ziggy said:
Schadenfreude...”Joy in another person’s misfortune”.(German) Especially in regard of Timmy Weatherspoon and his plea for the easing freedom of movement for EU workers to come and work in his pubs.
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It's one of the main reasons for supporting a football team. There are few other sources of joy in supporting boro.
 
HarryVegas said:
My own such favourite is the French l'esprit de l'escalier (the spirit of the staircase). An expression for thinking of what you wished you'd said when it's too late and you're on your way downstairs.
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L'esprit de clocher (literally, the spirit of the bell tower) was used to account for the gulf between the home and away performance of French rugby teams, who would fight to the death to defend the honour of the locality when playing in front of a home crowd, but were much less vigorous away from home.
 
Always thought that the Welsh place name 'Dinbych-y-pysgod' (Little fortress of the fishes) was way better and less dull than just calling the place Tenby.
 
coluka said:
Cognoscenti - Italian - People who are well informed or ‘in the know’

It could be adopted for the board, instead of referring to anyone as part of the ‘clique’ like on the old board, they could become the cognoscenti.
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Used to be a smart clothes shop in Boro in the late 90's, early 00's called Cognoscenti
 
redblood said:
Worked with a lot of Greeks and spent a lot of time there over the years and my favourite word is " Ella " ( sp ? )

I adopted the word way back in the seventies and to this day, use it frequently with my wife as she does with me.

They use the word for all sorts of situations.
It can mean come on, hurry up or in sporting terms to urge their team on.
They will answer the phone with an Ella which can mean either hello or what do you want.
It can also mean are you serious or are you kidding me.
Or used as a yes or an okay.
They also use the word when hearing of surprising news, or even, when angry. (" Ella malaka " when angry, pretty much means say that again and I'll smack you one ) :D

Probably a whole lot more uses as well that I don't know about.
Click to expand...
I once tried to describe Teesside’s use of “Away“to a German student staying with us.

Being a Philhelline I must have heard Ella millions of times and never registered its multiple meanings, I’ll adopt it from now on , even sometimes instead of my favourite encouragement “Epa”
 
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