Abbiocco

Meaning: The heavy, irresistible drowsiness that comes after a large meal — the post-lunch stupor that demands a nap.

Language: Italian

Literally: drowsiness / nodding off

Category: Everyday

Origin: Italian; possibly from Arabic; that specific after-Sunday-dinner fog.

More untranslatable words — Everyday

Culaccino — The ring or stain left on a surface by a wet or cold glass — that small, damp circle that…
Merak — An intense, almost obsessive intellectual curiosity — not idle interest, but a passionate…
Flemme — A total absence of motivation to do anything — a profound, almost existential reluctance…
Ressourcement — The act of returning to one's roots or origins to find renewal — going back to a place, t…
Chōu kōng — To steal a moment of escape from a hectic schedule — finding a sliver of free time and us…
Jugaad — A creative, frugal fix — a clever improvised solution that gets things done with whatever…

Gattara — A woman — often elderly — who dedicates herself to feeding and caring for stray cats in h…
Meriggiare — To take a quiet midday rest in a cool, shaded spot, escaping the fierce afternoon sun.

Loading the full interactive collection…