Definitions by ThePhysopher
Lateral Copy
Sharing an article from the Internet while bypassing a paywall.
If you are a member and receive an interesting article, but your friend cannot read it because they are not a member, what do you do? You copy the article “by hand”, put it back together nicely and send it to the friend. This is a lateral copy.
If you are a member and receive an interesting article, but your friend cannot read it because they are not a member, what do you do? You copy the article “by hand”, put it back together nicely and send it to the friend. This is a lateral copy.
Another great article that J. will be interested in. But the link is useless to him: he's not a member. I'll have to make him a lateral copy again.
Lateral Copy by ThePhysopher September 25, 2025
Fosca effect
In the novel of Simone de Beauvoir, Fosca is a man who is the only one who cannot die. However, he becomes unhappy because all his friends die and leave him. The Fosca effect is therefore the feeling of an old person when he or she outlives their friends and the other people around them also disappear. It is a mixture of melancholy, pride and the guilt of still being alive.
Why is your father so sad? It's the Fosca effect, another one of his school friends has died.
I really must write my memoirs. It's probably the Fosca effect: if I don't do it, who else will?
The Fosca effect is quite natural when you get very old.
I really must write my memoirs. It's probably the Fosca effect: if I don't do it, who else will?
The Fosca effect is quite natural when you get very old.
Fosca effect by ThePhysopher June 16, 2025
birthday position
For his birthday, he gets to choose how they will make love. The position is therefore called birthday position.
My husband can ask me all year round if we do it this way, but I always answer: it's not your birthday. This is your birthday position!
My wife has also invented an Urban Dictionary word. It's both appealing and bitter: the birthday position.
My wife has also invented an Urban Dictionary word. It's both appealing and bitter: the birthday position.
birthday position by ThePhysopher May 4, 2025
ILH
ILH or "I love her" is here an affectionate but slightly sarcastic remark.
A man says ILH loudly or silently when he doesn't like to do something she wants
but he does it because he just loves her! Of course, it could also mean *I love him".
A man says ILH loudly or silently when he doesn't like to do something she wants
but he does it because he just loves her! Of course, it could also mean *I love him".
If she wants to go to the opera and I don't, then I say to myself quietly: ILH (I love her) and go anyway
I've told ILH many times, she already knows what it means and just laughs contentedly.
I've told ILH many times, she already knows what it means and just laughs contentedly.
ILH by ThePhysopher November 18, 2024
Woodware
This is a derogatory word for books, especially novels. The paper of books is made of wood and can burn like wood.
I always tell my wife that the books she reads are just woodware. Reading them is wasted time.
Ian McEwan said that many novels are just housewife gossip. I would say these books are woodware.
Ian McEwan said that many novels are just housewife gossip. I would say these books are woodware.
Woodware by ThePhysopher July 24, 2024
menuphobia
The reluctance to make decisions
Making decisions is always a task. But it is an unpleasant task for many people. The term "menuphobia" describes this aversion to having to choose between several alternatives.
Making decisions is always a task. But it is an unpleasant task for many people. The term "menuphobia" describes this aversion to having to choose between several alternatives.
I hate long lists of choices in restaurants. My wife always makes the better choice and I have to watch her. I already have real menuphobia.
There is so much great food to choose from on the cruise that I can't make up my mind. But I still can't be happy because of my menuphobia.
There is so much great food to choose from on the cruise that I can't make up my mind. But I still can't be happy because of my menuphobia.
menuphobia by ThePhysopher June 17, 2024
Menuphobia
Reluctance to make a choice between different alternatives.
Making decisions is always a task. But it is an unpleasant task for many people. The term "menuphobia" describes this aversion to having to choose between several alternatives.
Making decisions is always a task. But it is an unpleasant task for many people. The term "menuphobia" describes this aversion to having to choose between several alternatives.
I hate long lists of choices in restaurants. My wife always makes the better choice and I have to watch her. I already have real menu phobia.
There is so much great food to choose from on the cruise that I can't make up my mind. I suffer from menuphobia.
There is so much great food to choose from on the cruise that I can't make up my mind. I suffer from menuphobia.
Menuphobia by ThePhysopher June 14, 2024