Undefinables

Chindōgu

(Japanese) A prank originating in Japan, done by a person inventing seemingly ingenious everyday gadgets that seem like a perfect solution to a particular problem, though are in fact nothing more than useless gags.

Illustration by Raissa Pardini

Universally relatable words from languages around the world — with no direct equivalents.

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Raissa Pardini Illustrator

Raissa Pardini is an Italian-born multidisciplinary designer based in Glasgow, UK. She has worked for brands like Vans, Dr. Martens, and Fred Perry.

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More Undefinables

Attaccabottoni

Attaccabottoni

(Italian) Literally “attach buttons,” this is a chatty person who latches onto you to share long, meaningless stories in endless detail about their life.

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
Brabbag

Brabbag

(Manx Gaelic) The pleasurable act of warming the back of one’s legs in front of the fire.

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
Antsafa

Antsafa

(Malagasy) Inquiries about things of which one is fully cognizant beforehand.

Illustration by Shivani Parasnis
Þetta reddast

Þetta reddast

(Icelandic) An unofficial motto that loosely translates to “everything will fall into place as it should.”

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
Wantok

Wantok

(Tok Pisin) People who speak the same language as you do and thus in a way “have some claim over you.” It translates as “one talk,” and usually includes people in your family, village, clan, or larger geographic area.

Illustration by Shivani Parasnis
Dapjeongneo
Dapjeongneo

Dapjeongneo

(Korean) Telling someone what they want to hear, even though you might not actually believe it, so as to avoid causing tension or offense.

Illustration by Jess Rotter
Qualunquismo

Qualunquismo

(Italian) An attitude of apathy, indifference, or disgust toward politics.

Illustration by Shivani Parasnis
Kilig

Kilig

(Tagalog) The giddy excitement you feel when something romantic happens, either to you or someone else; the feeling of butterflies in your stomach when you catch your crush’s eye for the first time, witness a marriage proposal, or see your favorite TV show couple finally get together.

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
Ghelah-gahdah

Ghelah-gahdah

(Gujarati) The silly, carefree nature of children, such as making faces or playing and joking around.

Illustration by Shivani Parasnis
Resfeber

Resfeber

(Swedish) The mixture of anxiety and anticipation before a trip or journey begins.

Illustration by Jess Rotter

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How To

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Josh Itiola of Vitsœ shares the brass tacks of storage.

Words by Deidre Dyer, Illustration by Cookie Moon
Telsha Anderson
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Telsha Anderson

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Words by Telsha Anderson, Illustration by Hisham Akira Bharoocha
d room Jeju
Small

d room Jeju

How a design hotel on South Korea’s biggest island is revitalizing its historic port district.

words by elaine yj lee, photography by Kim S. Gon
The Midcentury Mothership
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The Midcentury Mothership

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Words by Christopher Bollen, Photography by Adrian Gaut
Attaccabottoni
Undefinables

Attaccabottoni

(Italian) Literally “attach buttons,” this is a chatty person who latches onto you to share long, meaningless stories in endless detail about their life.

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
Raspberry Calling
A Toast

Raspberry Calling

A drink from the Charles H. in the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, South Korea.

Words by Jessica Suarez, Photography by Grant Cornett
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Caroline Schiff

The pastry chef and author explains how tiny green French plums changed her life.

Words by Caroline Schiff, Illustration by Joanna Neborsky
Lost in Space
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Lost in Space

Photographer Mark Hartman goes off the grid to get a better view of the American landscape.

Words and photography by Mark Hartman
Life in a French Country House
A Book to Devour

Life in a French Country House

Artistic director Cordelia de Castellane’s dreamy retreat.

Words by Nina Renata Aron, Photography by Matthieu Salvaing
Pamela Tick
Impressions

Pamela Tick

The DJ on falling for Tokyo, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, and Big Sur.

Words by Pamela Tick, Illustration by Hisham Akira Bharoocha
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