(noun) The joy of walking on grass barefoot. From the Greek roots 'ξυπόλητος' (xipolitos), meaning 'barefoot;' 'γρασίδι' (grasidi), meaning 'grass;' and '-philia,' a love of or a fondness for.
Eurynome stood blissfully in the middle of the meadow, wrapped in the amber glow of dawn and feeling the kiss of dew cool the soles of her feet and assuage her xipolitosograsidiphilia.
by The Autumn Mandrake August 13, 2024
Inversambisignum (noun): The ∓ symbol, commonly called the minus-or-plus sign or minus-plus sign. The name derives from Latin: inversa ("inverted" or "turned upside down"), ambi- ("both" or "on both sides"), and signum ("sign" or "symbol"), and reflects its role as the counterpart to the ± symbol (ambisignum).
Meaning and Use
1) Relationship to ± (ambisignum):
• ∓ appears with ± to denote symmetrical or complementary values in equations.
• The top sign of ± corresponds to the top sign of ∓, and the bottom sign of ± to the bottom sign of ∓.
• Example: In a ± b ∓ c:
◦ First case: a + b − c
◦ Second case: a − b + c.
2) Applications:
• Quadratic equations: Specifies dual results involving radicals.
• Physics and Engineering: Models symmetry (e.g., waveforms, alternating currents).
• Complex numbers: Describes conjugate pairs with opposite-sign components.
Why It Is Necessary
Without ∓, expressions with multiple operations could be ambiguous. Paired ± and ∓ ensure clarity by mirroring opposing effects.
Mnemonic: Think of ± as "positive then negative" and ∓ as "negative then positive," balancing dual relationships.
Note: it is tautological to refer to an 'inversambisignum sign' or an 'inversambisignum symbol' in the same way that it is tautological to refer to RAS syndrome (where RAS means 'redundant acronym syndrome')...
Meaning and Use
1) Relationship to ± (ambisignum):
• ∓ appears with ± to denote symmetrical or complementary values in equations.
• The top sign of ± corresponds to the top sign of ∓, and the bottom sign of ± to the bottom sign of ∓.
• Example: In a ± b ∓ c:
◦ First case: a + b − c
◦ Second case: a − b + c.
2) Applications:
• Quadratic equations: Specifies dual results involving radicals.
• Physics and Engineering: Models symmetry (e.g., waveforms, alternating currents).
• Complex numbers: Describes conjugate pairs with opposite-sign components.
Why It Is Necessary
Without ∓, expressions with multiple operations could be ambiguous. Paired ± and ∓ ensure clarity by mirroring opposing effects.
Mnemonic: Think of ± as "positive then negative" and ∓ as "negative then positive," balancing dual relationships.
Note: it is tautological to refer to an 'inversambisignum sign' or an 'inversambisignum symbol' in the same way that it is tautological to refer to RAS syndrome (where RAS means 'redundant acronym syndrome')...
As a physicist Carl used the ambisignum almost daily in his writing, but it was a rare occasion indeed when his formulæ required the use of an inversambisignum.
by The Autumn Mandrake November 30, 2024
(noun) The joy of listening to or hearing the sound of rain on a window. From the Greek roots 'παράθυρο' (parathyro), meaning 'window;' 'βροχή' (vrocho), meaning 'rain;' and '-philia,' a love of or a fondness for.
Ambrosia gathered her mug of steaming cocoa, her knitted woolen blanket, her favourite book of poetry, and snuggled into her window seat to indulge her parathyrovrochophilia – reveling in the joy of listening to the whisper of rain pattering on the panes of glass separating her from the blustering storm outside.
by The Autumn Mandrake August 13, 2024
(noun) An individual who revels in the sound of rain on a window. From the Greek roots 'παράθυρο' (parathyro), meaning 'window;' 'βροχή' (vrocho), meaning 'rain;' and '-philia,' a love of or a fondness for.
There is nothing more soothing for the parathyrovrochophile than to snuggle under a quilt on a window seat with a storm blustering outside, sipping a mug of hot chocolate and reading a good book while the rain patters and whispers on the misted glass panes.
by The Autumn Mandrake August 13, 2024
A doge whistle is the use of coded or suggestive language in conspiratorial messaging to garner support from other conspiracy theorists whilst providing a veneer of plausible deniability.
The concept is a reference to ultrasonic dog whistles, which are audible to dogs but not humans, and to Doge coin, a cryptocurrency favoured by conspiracy theorists and political extremists. Doge whistles use language that appears normal at a cursory glance but which communicates specific, inflammatory ideas to target audiences. They are generally used to convey messages on issues likely to provoke controversy or action without attracting excessive negative attention.
The concept is a reference to ultrasonic dog whistles, which are audible to dogs but not humans, and to Doge coin, a cryptocurrency favoured by conspiracy theorists and political extremists. Doge whistles use language that appears normal at a cursory glance but which communicates specific, inflammatory ideas to target audiences. They are generally used to convey messages on issues likely to provoke controversy or action without attracting excessive negative attention.
"No one is even trying to shoot the ducks on the lake," Leon noted within earshot of a gang of cryptocurrency conference attendees who had not seen the flock of birds swimming on the shores of the convention centre. The doge whistle was successful - that afternoon shotgun pellets and feathers filled the air after the last presentation, and much beer was consumed to celebrate the attack.
by The Autumn Mandrake September 16, 2024
(noun) The joy or pleasure derives from squeezing pimples, blackheads, and other sebaceous skin eruptions. From the Greek roots σπυρίς (spyris), meaning 'basket,' something hollow, or 'pimple;' and '-philia,' a love of or a fondness for.
Whilst considered repugnant by some people, spyrophilia is a pleasurable and usually harmless activity for many.
Contrast with 'dermatillomania,' a mental illness related to obsessive-compulsive disorder and which is characterised by repeated picking at one's own skin, resulting in areas of swollen or broken skin and causing significant disruption in one's life.
Whilst considered repugnant by some people, spyrophilia is a pleasurable and usually harmless activity for many.
Contrast with 'dermatillomania,' a mental illness related to obsessive-compulsive disorder and which is characterised by repeated picking at one's own skin, resulting in areas of swollen or broken skin and causing significant disruption in one's life.
Seeing a blackhead forming on Eloise's ear lobe triggered Ron's spyrophilia, and it was all that he could do to restrain himself from reaching over and attempting to pop it!
by The Autumn Mandrake August 14, 2024
Leminscatus (noun) The infinity (∞) sign. Derived from the Latin 'lēmniscātus,' meaning "decorated with ribbons", and which itself ioriginates from the Greek 'λημνίσκος' (lēmnískos), meaning "ribbon."
The lemniscatus is a figure-eight curve that resembles a group of curves in algebraic geometry collectively called lemniscates. Jacob Bernoulli first used the term 'lemniscate' in the late 17th century, based on the same Latin and Greek roots. While a 'lemniscate' refers to any algebraically defined figure-eight curve, the lemniscatus specifically symbolises the concept of infinity.
The lemniscatus is a figure-eight curve that resembles a group of curves in algebraic geometry collectively called lemniscates. Jacob Bernoulli first used the term 'lemniscate' in the late 17th century, based on the same Latin and Greek roots. While a 'lemniscate' refers to any algebraically defined figure-eight curve, the lemniscatus specifically symbolises the concept of infinity.
Johann knew that his brother Jake was serious about studying philosophy at university when Jake came home one day sporting a new lemniscatus tattoo on his arm.
by The Autumn Mandrake November 30, 2024