Nation Cognition

The shared mental framework of a national community, encompassing its myths, historical narratives, symbols, and perceived collective destiny. It's the "story we tell ourselves about ourselves" that creates a sense of unity and purpose. This cognition can be unifying and resilient, but also exclusionary and resistant to facts that contradict the national mythos.

Example: American "Exceptionalism" is a form of Nation Cognition. It's the deeply held, often unconscious, belief that the United States has a unique historical mission to spread freedom and democracy. This cognition shapes foreign policy decisions and domestic political debates, regardless of empirical evidence about the outcomes of interventions.

Nation Cognition by Nammugal February 5, 2026

Nation State Cognition

The collective "way of thinking" characteristic of the nation-state as an entity. It is defined by realpolitik, raison d'état (reason of state), border security, sovereignty disputes, national interest calculations, and the monopoly on legitimate violence. This cognition is not merely the sum of its citizens' thoughts; it is the institutional logic embedded in foreign ministries, intelligence agencies, and diplomatic corps that perpetuates a worldview of perpetual competition between bounded territorial units.

Example: When a refugee crisis emerges, Nation State Cognition immediately frames it as a problem of border security, asylum quotas, and national burden, rather than as a humanitarian crisis requiring a regional or global resettlement solution. The cognitive framework of the state cannot easily think beyond its own borders and legalisms.

Nation State Cognition by Nammugal February 5, 2026

jerb 

well known from south park
rednecks get angrry that future folk took there jobs so they yell
They took ouare jerbs!

Them future folk took ouare jerbs!

jerb by Jimberley Kim April 7, 2005

Cheeks 

An Irish phrase meaning shit, derived from ass
(Not to be confused with the literal description of one's buttocks)

"Did you hear the song Aylek$ dropped?"
"Hardly. Her music is absolute cheeks."

"My boyfriend say LaFlame is cheeks."
"Tell your boyfriend I said it's his mixtape that's cheeks."

Cheeks by thecartisan April 26, 2020

sans sheriff 

Lawless use of fonts or typography, with no regard to aesthetics or legibility

I'm putting this CV straight in the bin. Written totally sans sheriff.

sans sheriff by Jamarley July 3, 2019

Breadhead 

Someone who is addicted to obtaining money and building wealth. A money addict and fanatic. Breadheads often work more than one full-time job, and some even participate in illicit activities to "obtain the bread".

A breadhead is like a crackhead, but for money instead of crack.

Breadhead by 🅱️ U S 3 4 8 March 30, 2022

Stink lines

As seen in illustrations or cartoons: Wavy, vertical lines rising above a person, place or thing. Denotes a foul odor.

"You didn't put enough stink lines on your picture of the teacher."

Stink lines by Athene Airheart March 14, 2004