PODCAST · society
Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity
by Barry Shrimpton
Lost Words is a journey into the forgotten corners of language — exploring ancient, vanished, or untranslatable words that once shaped how humans thought, felt, and dreamed.Each short episode uncovers the story behind a single word: its origin, meaning, and the world it reveals about the people who spoke it. From Old Norse to Latin, from Japanese to Sanskrit, and even words lost in modern languages, this podcast revives them with storytelling, history, and philosophy.Through these “lost words,” listeners rediscover lost emotions, lost ways of seeing the world — and perhaps, lost parts of themselves.
Episodes
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Kenopsia The Eerie Beauty of Empty Places
Episode 50 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores “Kenopsia,” a modern coined word describing the strange atmosphere of places that are normally crowded but suddenly stand empty. The episode explains how familiar spaces change when people disappear from them. A school corridor...
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Adronitis - The Frustration of Never Fully Knowing Someone
Episode 49 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores “Adronitis,” a modern coined word describing the frustration of how long it takes to truly know another person. The episode explains that people first reveal themselves in fragments — a voice, a habit, a story, a few opinions —...
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Vellichor - The wistful atmosphere of old bookstores.
Episode 48 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores “Vellichor,” a modern coined word describing the strange, nostalgic atmosphere of old bookstores — places filled with used books, fading paper, forgotten inscriptions, and traces of lives we will never fully know. The episode...
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Chrysalism - The Calm Inside the Storm
Episode 47 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores “Chrysalism,” the peaceful, cocoon-like feeling of being safely indoors during a thunderstorm. The episode explains that Chrysalism is created by contrast. Outside, there is rain, wind, lightning, and uncertainty. Inside, there...
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Sonder Expanded - The Infinite Stories of Strangers
Episode 46 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores “Sonder,” the realization that every stranger around us is living a life as vivid, complex, and unfinished as our own. The episode explains that we often move through the world as if we are the center of the story. Other people...
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Kalon - Beauty That Is Morally Good
Episode 45 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the ancient Greek word “Kalon,” a concept that joins beauty with goodness, nobility, honor, and moral worth. Unlike modern beauty, which is often linked mainly to appearance, Kalon describes a deeper kind of beauty rooted in...
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Liminal - The Beauty of Being Between
Episode 44 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores “Liminal,” a word that comes from the Latin limen, meaning threshold. It describes the strange in-between state when someone has left one stage of life but has not yet fully entered the next. The episode presents liminality...
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Uitwaaien - Letting the Wind Clear the Mind
Episode 43 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Dutch word “Uitwaaien,” the act of going outside into strong wind to clear the mind. More than just taking a walk, Uitwaaien is presented as a quiet ritual of emotional release and renewal. The episode explains how wind can...
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Sobremesa - The Art of Staying at the Table
Episode 42 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Spanish word “Sobremesa,” the tradition of lingering at the table after a meal has ended. It is not about eating more food, but about allowing conversation, laughter, memory, and connection to continue after the practical...
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Natsukashii - The Warm Smile of Memory
Episode 41 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Japanese word “Natsukashii,” which describes the warm, tender feeling that arises when a memory returns gently. Unlike painful nostalgia, Natsukashii is not about wanting to go back, but about fondly recognizing that...
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Amae - The Comfort of Depending on Kindness
Episode 40 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Japanese word “Amae,” which describes the tender comfort of depending on another person’s kindness. More than simply receiving help, Amae is the emotional permission to lean on someone safely, trusting that your need will…
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Mudita - Joy in Another Person’s Happiness
Episode 39 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Buddhist concept “Mudita,” meaning sympathetic joy — the happiness we feel when someone else is happy, successful, loved, or fortunate. The episode explains that Mudita is one of the four sublime states of mind in Buddhist...
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Tsundoku Revisited - The Humility of Unread Books
Episode 38 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity revisits the Japanese word “Tsundoku,” the habit of acquiring books and allowing them to remain unread. This time, the episode looks beyond the humor or guilt of unread books and explores them as symbols of intellectual humility. The...
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Ubuntu - The Spiritual Web of Human Interconnectedness
Episode 37 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the deeper spiritual meaning of “Ubuntu,” often translated as “I am because we are.” Rather than treating Ubuntu only as kindness or community, the episode presents it as a profound understanding that human identity is formed...
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Torschlusspanik - When Time Feels Like It’s Running Out
Episode 36 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the German word “Torschlusspanik,” literally meaning “gate-closing panic.” Originally referring to the fear of being locked outside a medieval city as its gates closed at night, the word has come to describe the anxiety that…
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Hiraeth - Longing for a Home That Lives in the Heart
Episode 35 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Welsh word “Hiraeth,” a profound feeling of longing for a home that may never have truly existed. More than homesickness, Hiraeth describes an emotional yearning for a place, a time, or a sense of belonging that exists...
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Dépaysement - The Joy of Being Unfamiliar with the World
Episode 34 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the French word “Dépaysement,” the feeling of being pleasantly disoriented in a new or unfamiliar place. Rather than describing confusion or discomfort, the term captures the refreshing sense of curiosity and heightened…
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Saudade do Futuro - Missing a Future That Hasn’t Happened Yet
Episode 33 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Portuguese expression “Saudade do Futuro,” a unique feeling that can be described as nostalgia for the future. It captures the strange experience of longing for a life, place, person, or version of yourself that does not…
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Mono No Aware: The Beauty of Things That Cannot Stay
Episode 32 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Japanese concept “Mono No Aware,” the bittersweet awareness that everything beautiful is temporary. It describes the gentle emotional response that arises when we recognize that moments, people, and experiences are precious...
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Wabi-Sabi - The Beauty of Imperfection and Impermanence
Episode 31 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Japanese philosophy of “Wabi-Sabi,” a way of seeing beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. Rather than valuing flawlessness, Wabi-Sabi embraces the natural changes that come with time, age, and…
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L’esprit de l’escalier - The Perfect Reply That Comes Too Late
Episode 30 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the French phrase “L’esprit de l’escalier,” which describes the frustrating moment when the perfect response comes to mind only after a conversation has already ended. Originating from the image of someone leaving a gathering…
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Sisu - The Strength That Remains When Everything Else Fades
Episode 29 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Finnish word “Sisu,” a concept describing deep inner strength, resilience, and the ability to continue in the face of hardship. More than courage or determination, Sisu is the quiet endurance that appears when ordinary...
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Pochemuchka The Endless Need to Ask Why
Episode 28 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Russian word “Pochemuchka,” a term used for someone who asks endless questions. Often associated with curious children, the episode reveals that the word represents something much deeper: the human drive to understand the...
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Mångata - The Path You Cannot Walk
Episode 27 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Swedish word “Mångata,” which describes the shimmering, road-like reflection of moonlight on water. Though it appears like a path leading toward the horizon, it is only an illusion — something visible but unreachable. The...
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Koi No Yokan - The Quiet Certainty of Future Love
Episode 26 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Japanese concept “Koi No Yokan,” the subtle feeling that when you meet someone, you will inevitably fall in love with them someday. Unlike “love at first sight,” it is not an immediate emotional rush, but a quiet, intuitive...
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Gökotta - Listening to the World Wake Up
Episode 25 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Swedish word “Gökotta,” a tradition of waking early to go outside and listen to birds sing at dawn. While simple in meaning, the episode reveals its deeper significance as a practice of presence, stillness, and connection....
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Tarab - When Music Takes You Beyond Yourself
Episode 24 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Arabic word “Tarab,” a powerful emotional state of musical ecstasy in which listeners are deeply moved, transported, and fully immersed in sound. The episode explains that Tarab is not just about enjoying music, but about...
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Lagom - The Quiet Balance of Enough
Episode 23 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Swedish concept “Lagom,” meaning “just the right amount.” It represents a philosophy of balance — not too much, not too little — applied to all aspects of life. The episode explains how Lagom is rooted in fairness and…
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Jayus - When Imperfection Becomes Funny
Episode 22 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Indonesian word “Jayus,” which describes a joke told so poorly that it becomes funny anyway. Rather than focusing on skillful humor, Jayus captures a uniquely human moment where awkwardness, failed timing, and imperfect...
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Tingo - The Power of Small, Gradual Change
Episode 21 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Rapa Nui word “Tingo,” which describes the act of borrowing things from a neighbor little by little until nothing remains. While humorous on the surface, the episode reveals a deeper meaning behind this concept. Tingo...
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Meraki Putting Your Soul into What You Do
Episode 20 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Greek word “Meraki,” which describes the act of doing something with soul, creativity, and love. It refers to the care and personal energy someone pours into their work, turning ordinary tasks into meaningful expressions of...
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Gezelligheid - The Warmth of Being Together
Episode 19 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Dutch word “Gezelligheid,” a concept that describes the warm, comfortable atmosphere created when people share time and space in a relaxed and welcoming way. The episode explains that Gezelligheid is more than simple...
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Saudade - The Warm Ache of Absence
Episode 18 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Portuguese word “Saudade,” a feeling that lives between happiness and sadness. It describes the gentle awareness of missing something — a place, a person, or a time — while also feeling grateful it existed. The episode...
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Shibui - The Beauty That Deepens Over Time
Episode 17 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Japanese concept “Shibui,” a form of beauty that is subtle, restrained, and timeless. Unlike flashy or immediately impressive things, Shibui reveals its value slowly, becoming more meaningful the longer we live with it. The...
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Ikigai - The Reason for Being
Episode 16 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Japanese concept “Ikigai,” meaning “a reason for being” or what makes life feel truly worth living. Rather than focusing on fame, wealth, or achievement, Ikigai is presented as the quiet inner purpose that gives everyday…
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Friðr - Peace as Strength and Balance
Episode 15 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Old Norse word “Friðr,” a concept of peace that goes far beyond the simple absence of conflict. In Viking and early Nordic societies, Friðr represented harmony, trust, sacred balance, and the foundation of social life in a...
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Yūgen The Beauty of Mystery and Depth
Episode 14 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Japanese word “Yūgen,” a concept describing a deep, subtle awareness of life’s hidden layers and mysterious beauty. Yūgen refers to moments of quiet awe — when something feels meaningful beyond words, such as watching...
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Kintsugi The Beauty of Being Broken
Episode 13 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Japanese art and philosophy of “Kintsugi,” the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold. Rather than hiding cracks, Kintsugi highlights them, transforming damage into a visible and meaningful part of the object’s...
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Sehnsucht - The Longing Without a Name
Episode 12 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the German word “Sehnsucht,” a deep, unresolvable longing for something undefined and often unreachable. Unlike ordinary desire, Sehnsucht is not aimed at a specific goal or memory, but at a sense of completeness that life…
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Tsundoku - The Beauty of Unread Books
Episode 11 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Japanese word “Tsundoku,” which describes the habit of acquiring books and letting them pile up unread. Rather than treating this tendency as guilt or failure, the episode reframes Tsundoku as an expression of hope,...
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Mamihlapinatapai - The Look Before Everything Changes
Episode 10 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the rare and evocative Yaghan word “Mamihlapinatapai,” which describes a silent glance shared between two people, each wishing the other would initiate something they both desire, yet neither dares to begin. It captures a…
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Hygge - The Quiet Art of Comfort
Episode 9 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Danish word “Hygge,” a concept often associated with coziness but rooted much more deeply in emotional comfort, presence, and belonging. Hygge describes the gentle happiness that comes from feeling safe, relaxed, and at ease...
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Duende - The Dark Spirit of Art
Episode 8 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Spanish word “Duende,” a mysterious force that gives art its raw emotional power. Duende is not talent or technique, but an intense spirit that emerges when artists confront deep emotion, vulnerability, and truth. It is the...
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Waldeinsamkeit - Alone, but Not Lonely
Episode 7 explores the German word “Waldeinsamkeit,” which describes the peaceful, introspective feeling of being alone in the forest. The episode reveals that this solitude is not emptiness, but a comforting fullness — a sense of being wrapped in nature, far from noise and expectation. Listeners...
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Ubuntu - I Am Because We Are
Episode 6 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the profound African word “Ubuntu,” a concept meaning “I am because we are.” The episode presents Ubuntu not as a simple definition, but as a worldview — the belief that humanity is shared, and that we become fully human through...
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Fernweh The Longing for Faraway Places
Episode 5 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the German word “Fernweh,” a term that describes a deep, emotional longing for distant places — not places we remember, but places we have never been. Unlike homesickness, which pulls us backward, Fernweh pulls us outward toward...
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The Soul in the Work
Episode 4 of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity explores the Greek word “Meraki,” a term describing the act of doing something with soul, creativity, and deep personal devotion. It is the idea of leaving a part of yourself in everything you touch — whether cooking a meal, crafting a...
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Komorebi - The Sunlight Between the Leaves
In this episode of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity, listeners are introduced to the Japanese word “Komorebi,” which beautifully describes the sight of sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees. The episode explores how this simple word captures an entire philosophy of beauty,...
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Sonder – The Lives We Never See
In this episode of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity, we explore “Sonder,” a modern word coined by writer John Koenig in The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. It describes the sudden realization that every stranger around us lives a life as vivid, complex, and emotional as our own —...
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Saudade: The Word That Remembers What We Lost
The first episode of Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity introduces “Saudade,” the untranslatable Portuguese word that captures the deep, nostalgic longing for something or someone absent — a feeling that blends love, loss, and memory. The episode explores the origins of the word…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Lost Words is a journey into the forgotten corners of language — exploring ancient, vanished, or untranslatable words that once shaped how humans thought, felt, and dreamed.Each short episode uncovers the story behind a single word: its origin, meaning, and the world it reveals about the people who spoke it. From Old Norse to Latin, from Japanese to Sanskrit, and even words lost in modern languages, this podcast revives them with storytelling, history, and philosophy.Through these “lost words,” listeners rediscover lost emotions, lost ways of seeing the world — and perhaps, lost parts of themselves.
HOSTED BY
Barry Shrimpton
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity have?
Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity about?
Lost Words is a journey into the forgotten corners of language — exploring ancient, vanished, or untranslatable words that once shaped how humans thought, felt, and dreamed.Each short episode uncovers the story behind a single word: its origin, meaning, and the world it reveals about the people who...
How often does Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity release new episodes?
Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity?
You can listen to Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity?
Lost Words: The Forgotten Language of Humanity is created and hosted by Barry Shrimpton.
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