Tartle
Meaning: That panicky pause when you go to introduce someone and realize you've forgotten their name.
Language: Scots
Literally: to hesitate in recognition
Category: Social
Origin: Scots; the polite cover 'I'm sorry for my tartle' softens the awkward moment.
More untranslatable words — Social
- Tutear — To switch to the informal tú with someone — a small, deliberate act of closing social dis…
- Sprezzatura — The art of making something difficult look wholly effortless, hiding every trace of the w…
- Dietrologia — The conviction that the official account is never the real one — that some hidden motive…
- Attaccabottoni — The person who corners you and holds you in an endless, tedious story you cannot politely…
- Menefreghista — Someone who has made not caring into an entire stance — indifference as a way of life.
- Dugnad — Unpaid work done together for the common good — neighbours painting the building, parents…
From our proverbs
- The truth shall set you free — Honesty and truth lead to liberation.
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained — You must take risks to achieve rewards.
- United we stand, divided we fall — Strength comes from unity.