Biritululo (New Guinea): the act of comparing yams to settle a dispute.
Zalatwic (Polish): the use of friends, bribes, personal charm or connections to get something done. This was particularly useful in the days of communism, as it was easier to get something you wanted through guile as opposed to official means.
Tingo (Easter Island): a person who borrows things from a friend’s house one by one until there is nothing left.
Bakku-shan (Japanese): the word for a girl who looks pretty from behind but ugly in front.
Kyoikumama (Japanese): a mother who pushes her children far too hard when it comes to schoolwork.
Qualunquismo (Italian): a person who doesn’t really care about politics and issues in society. The term came from a political party in Italy, in 1944, which promoted anti-political feelings and a mistrust of public organizations. The party was called the Fronte dell’Uomo Qualunque or “the front of the ordinary man.”
Uitwaaien (Dutch): take a brief break in the country side to clear one’s head.
Hygge (Danish): complete absence of anything annoying, irritating or emotionally overwhelming, and the presence of and pleasure from comforting, gentle and soothing things.
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