/r/MeaningofLiff

Photograph via snooOG

"The Meaning Of Liff is a dictionary of things that you know that don't have names."

"In Life, there are many hundreds of common experiences, feelings, situations and even objects which we all know and recognize, but for which no words exist.

On the other hand, the world is littererd with thousands of spare words which spend their time doing nothing but loafing about on signposts pointing at places. Our job, as we see it, is to get these words down off the signposts and into the mouths of babes and sucklings and so on, where they can start earning their keep in everyday conversation and make a more positive contribution to society." - Douglas Adams, John Lloyd


Rules for submitting:

  • Words should be based on place names.

  • If you are creating a word, please start your submission with [DEF].

  • If you are searching for a word, please start your submission with [REQ].

  • If you have a source for a word, link it!

  • Please try to avoid using Urban Dictionary.


For more general word-creating, see /r/neology


If your post is not appearing, please message the moderators.


"In the 80's Douglas Adams and John Lloyd hit upon the idea that there were items, situations, concepts and other things that didn't have a handy word to describe them. Similarly there were lots of words that did nothing except hang around on signs pointing at places. What if the two were put together? So The Meaning Of Liff is a dictionary of things that you know that don't have names. Why its being talked about recently I couldn't say. It deserves to be talked about though because its a beautiful piece of british surrealist nonsense. I wouldn't read it on public transport though. Unless you don't mind people looking at you while you snort at it." - disco54

/r/MeaningofLiff

168 Subscribers

0 Comments
2023/12/11
17:40 UTC

2

[REQ] Someone who leaves a toaster set to the longest setting

2 Comments
2016/09/20
21:56 UTC

3

[DEF] Edgbaston

The gentle, yet fearful, movement of a group of individuals away from one of their number who is speaking up to a figure of authority or intimidation on their behalf.

0 Comments
2015/08/06
10:28 UTC

2

[DEF] Fadoot

A term of endearment that acknowledges and accepts a person's strange nature and equally embraces that person in one's own strange nature.

-After making weird faces at each from other across the party, Kyle walks over to her and whispers, "Fadoot".

0 Comments
2015/01/19
07:39 UTC

1

[Req]The Act of having an imaginary argument with your mother inside your head and losing it, rendering your original endeavor entirely useless before it even began.

2 Comments
2014/11/09
08:57 UTC

3

[REQ]The act of looking up a word in the dictionary and not understanding the definition of the word you don't understand.

1 Comment
2013/09/14
16:41 UTC

5

[DEF] Coogee

When scratching an itch gives an inordinate amount of pleasure

Named for Coogee, Australia

0 Comments
2013/09/06
06:40 UTC

4

[Def] Pfaffikon

The fluff that is thrown into an assignment, speech or any other written task to get to a word limit.

located at 47.201202,8.778162

0 Comments
2013/05/21
00:43 UTC

5

[REQ] The special feeling after you go to pour something only to have the liquid run down the edge of vessel your pouring from all over your hand

I just really need to know

EDIT: *you're pouring from

2 Comments
2013/04/07
15:26 UTC

6

[Def] Winton

The slight wobble or looseness a handle or knob acquires by being the handle or knob on the panel beneath the sink.

0 Comments
2013/04/05
23:44 UTC

11

[DEF] Stratford Tony

Theatrical slang for any actor who's declamatory delivery and Fallstafian manner belies the fact that the high-point of their career was a guest spot on Celebrity Squares and not, in fact, Lear at the RSC.
(Wiltshire,UK)

0 Comments
2013/04/01
17:59 UTC

5

[DEF] Slough

The slush-like substance that is a combination of snow and rubbish that lingers for days after a snowfall.

0 Comments
2013/03/31
18:10 UTC

4

[DEF] Sidcup

A hat made from tying knots in the corners of a handkerchief.

  • The Meaning of Liff
1 Comment
2013/03/30
12:54 UTC

9

[DEF] Ouagadougou

A universal word used by persons trying to communicate with an infant, for whom words spoken in its native tongue hold little joy.
(Burkina Faso)

3 Comments
2013/03/30
11:04 UTC

13

[DEF] Confignance

The knowledge that someone smarter than you is working on the problem, so you probably shouldn't worry about it

1 Comment
2013/03/29
16:29 UTC

6

[DEF] Weston Under Lizard

A Wimbledon that waits until you are at least 3 steps from the toilet to strike

0 Comments
2013/03/29
16:17 UTC

6

[DEF] Barton

The act of deliberating in the aisle which version of a particular product one wishes to purchase.

0 Comments
2013/03/29
13:44 UTC

7

[DEF] Luton

The horseshoe-shaped rug which goes around a lavatory seat.

  • The Meaning of Liff, Vol. 1
0 Comments
2013/03/29
09:50 UTC

6

[DEF] Southwick

A left-handed wanker.

  • The Deeper Meaning of Liff
0 Comments
2013/03/29
09:46 UTC

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