Just because men have one, doesn’t mean they have to be one.

Skinless/peeled is better

1- A form of speech that mixes German with English. Describes language based on German grammar that includes a jumble of English and pseudo-English idioms, or vice versa, causing great distress to Deutsch linguistic purists. Widely used in German advertising in a desperate(?) attempt to come off as modern even when there are German words that would suffice. E.g “der computer” as opposed to “der rechenanlage”. Evolution blamed on the international popularity of English language in pop music, business, computer terminology, politics, and science. Though considered wrong by most native speakers and German grammar rules, it is also used in German newspapers.
Also referred to as Engleutsch, Genglish, Germish, or Ginglish.

A post on Naijablog got me to thinking about how some things are theoretically the same but resonate differently across the world… Take for instance, the art of celebration, which brings me to our WOTD (word of the day):

Owambe /o-wamn-beh/ n. Popular terminology used in Nigeria to refer to big parties. derived from the Yorùbá language Also practiced worldwide under different names such as party, fete, partito, partido, ?, etc.

Literal definition: “it is there”. “It” signifies an abundance of everything; food, drink, fine fabrics, hot flesh, presents, and of course that ultimate signifier of excess, raw cash.

Metaphorical definition: the rhythmic commotion arising from the collision of material and personality excess.

Although great efforts are made to showcase excess at celebrations around the globe, nothing quite matches the fumes of joyous excess and beautiful vulgarity that arises from the potent mix known as owambe. And you thought the zenith of partying was kicking it on Puffy’s yacht or the Donald’s penthouse? Think again, my friend…

Now, there are certain differentiating factors that illustrate why the owambe phenomenon is not an exact translation into western equivalents such as “party”.

1) Live music. While recordings may also be used instead of or in conjunction with this, nothing beats a live band because that is what draws out and captures the essence of owambe; that frenzy of the “world be damned, we’re-partying-today-even-if-others-starve or even-if-some-of-us-may-starve-tomorrow-its-on-today”.

3) Spraying: Guests show their appreciation for the celebrant and the party by “spraying” him/her liberally with cash (usually naira, US dollars, and/or GB pounds). This usually occurs when the music has hit such a crescendo that the sprayer(s) just cannot hold back anymore. The manner of spraying is also an art unto itself; it requires artfully anointing (not throwing) the recipient with bank notes usually on the face or neck all the while keeping up with the tempo of the music.

2) Hot flesh in motion. Also known as dancing but far superior to what western readers might visualize. Trust me, the gyrations seen in rap/reggae videos and carnivals haven’t got ‘nuthin on this. The dancing at owambe is indeed a sight to behold. It is doubtful that anything beats the way in which flesh sings with absolute wanton and abandon during such an occasion. Only the Afro-Latin American and Caribbean brethren probably come close, which isn’t surprising given that their populations include many West African descendants.

Ok, school over.

Arabizi n.
1- A form of speech that mixes Arabic with English. It is widely used among Jordan’s Western-educated elites, invoking the wrath of language purists and exposing a widening social and economic gap in the small kingdom. Signifying a combination of Arabic and “Inglizi” (English in Arabic) in speech, it is also a means of expression for many young Jordanians who have been educated abroad and who do not share Jordan’s conservative values.
-Common synonyms/alternatives: “Arablish” (Arabic and English).

Billet-doux n. /bil-ay-DOO/, plural billets-doux /bil-ay-DOO(Z)/:
A love letter or note.
http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2005/11/29.html

Interesting proverb: “Reculer pour mieux sauter” = “Move/step backwards to leap forward better”. Also used sarcastically when someone is procrastinating… Therefore mieux, here, doesn’t really refer to the ‘quality’ of your jump. But rather to its inevitability.

• Gauditecture: organic/Gaudi-like architecture

• Gaudytecture: gaudy architecture

• Rubbash for anything too distinguished to be called merely rubbish.

• Newspapers: modern-day ruminants; information regurgitators. All that paper, so little news.

• Useless multinational – an individual of multicultural descent (i.e. has parents with origins from 2 or more countries) but cannot speak any of his/her native languages.