There should be a word specifically for the feeling you get when you say something you shouldn’t have.
It happens to everyone, I’m sure. It’s the verbal vomit that comes out of your mouth in what we delicately label a faux pas.
It’s the facebook post that you realize was something that should have been kept a secret, or the mass email you thought you’d sent to only your best friend and closest confidant, just to discover your kids’ teacher is now aware that you have a yeast infection.
For things like this, the word “regret” doesn’t quite cut it. It’s that disconnect that separates good intention from devastating action.
Even the witty comment you think of half an hour after the fact, which is far less embarrassing but easily as annoying.
Communication impediment is too bulky. Linguistically challenged comes to mind… How about “linge”?
We could say, “Excuse me, I linged,” when we ask an acquaintance how her husband is, only to find out she just went through an ugly divorce. Or, “Damnit, I could have said ‘Duck!’ when the ball came flying through the air behind that guy, rather than ‘Watch out!’ making him turn and get it in the face instead. What a linge!”
Yeah, “linge.” It’s gonna be big.
Blog post of December 5th, in honour of Every Damn Day December. Check it out! It’s not too late to join in!
December 6, 2013 at 3:49 am
Linge, I like it!
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December 6, 2013 at 8:32 am
Thank you! 😀
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December 5, 2013 at 8:31 pm
While I commend you for inventing this brilliant word, I must admit I linge all the time, and I won’t be apologizing for it. Every circle needs a linge-er. LOL
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December 5, 2013 at 9:49 pm
Thank you, Joey. You’re right, every position must be filled, and you fill yours beautifully. 🙂
hehe
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December 5, 2013 at 10:05 pm
hehehee!
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December 5, 2013 at 10:12 pm
😀
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December 5, 2013 at 7:08 pm
How is it pronounced? Rhymes with swing or whinge? Or have I just done a linge?
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December 5, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Rhymes with ‘hinge.’ And no, that was a good question. 😀
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December 5, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Perfect! Linge it is.
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December 5, 2013 at 8:27 pm
It’s been endorsed by The English Professor! Sure to be a success now! 🙂
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December 5, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Ok I am most definitely a ‘linger’ Too many to note. Great word!
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December 5, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Thanks! I think we all have our days. 😛
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December 5, 2013 at 3:30 pm
This post made me laugh and reminded me of this: http://sobadsogood.com/2012/04/29/25-words-that-simply-dont-exist-in-english/ … (11 L’esprit de l’escalier (French): usually translated as “staircase wit,” is the act of thinking of a clever comeback when it is too late to deliver it) 😛
I think ‘linge’ is going to be big.
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December 5, 2013 at 3:32 pm
😀 I hope so! I’m determined to get into the urban dictionary somehow. 🙂 Thanks for the link, I’ll check it out!
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December 5, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Haha, great idea!! Major linge….maybe an hour or so after an acquaintance told me she had to have an emergency hysterectomy did I ask her if her and her husband might have more kids!!! Oh no I didn’t!!!!!!!! My husbands mouth dropped and I must have been in the clouds when she told me about her hysterectomy . I linged indeed!!!
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December 5, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Haha! Wow, nice linge!
Linge – definition: that which makes you want to crawl into a hole in the ground.
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December 5, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Definitely a cleaner word to use than what I typically say.
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December 5, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Haha! Yep, me too.
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