PHENOMENA THAT STILL HAVE NO NAME

– but should have one –

In the Dutch language, we have a word for the most bizarre things. Did you know about the existence of ‘cathisophobia’? That's the fear of sitting. Seriously, sitting. Or ‘genufobia’? That's what people who are afraid of knees have. Seriously, how many people have that that a wóórd has been invented for it? Not like the next situations that everyone recognizes, but for which there is no word. Or at least, as far as I know. Suggestions can always be emailed.

Situation 1
For days, weeks, or even months, you see that pair of shoes lying in the corner or that one notebook always in the way. You never wear them, you never use it, maybe you should just throw it away. But then suddenly comes that moment when you need exactly that pair of shoes for your outfit or that you need a notebook right now. But of course, that thing is NOWHERE to be found. You turn your whole house upside down, but to no avail. You choose a different outfit or grab a sheet of paper and then, a day later, you see those damn shoes just lying there. HOW CAN THAT BE?!

Situation 2
You have a blouse that always looks good. It's your favorite because in times of lack of inspiration, you always fall back on that blouse because it can't go wrong. This loving relationship can last for months until the day comes when it suddenly looks terrible. It doesn't look good, makes you look fat or too thin, it just doesn't feel right. And no matter what you try, that blouse suddenly becomes a disaster overnight.

Situation 3
The new song by Adele is out and during the first ten times you heard it, you spontaneously cried. Even sobbed. But since everyone thinks that, you hear the song all day long and then you get tired of it. You can't stand hearing it anymore. Why is there no name for that?

Situation 4
You have a date or another important moment for which you need to look good. You're hesitating in front of the closet, have chosen a suit that you can absolutely conquer the world with, and everything is in order. You grab your bag, your keys, say goodbye to the cat, put on your coat – and that's the moment when something, no matter what, goes wrong, causing your suit to be unusable. Getting stuck on a baseboard; a hole in your skirt. You spill a glass of cola; white suede shoes ruined. Last moment of brushing your teeth; black sweater has a white stain. That one event that ruins everything at the very last moment needs a name.

Situation 5
You're hungover/sad/unhappy/sick and decide to treat yourself to a certain item from the supermarket. It can be anything. Smoked salmon with avocado? A bag of ginger nuts? Ben & Jerry’s? Fine. You drag yourself out of bed and endure the hellish pains of daylight on the way to the supermarket, but you endure it with love because you know those ginger nuts are waiting for you. And then, in the supermarket, it turns out that the exact item you wanted is not there. Seriously, there are lesser reasons to just end it all right away.