Come talk about fun and quirky words in the English Language. Posting is open to all members.
hygge
At the risk of my hipster showing, I wanted to share a word that I've been thinking about a lot this weekend.
Hygge is a Danish word that is usually translated as cozy but means more than that.
Hygge is spending extra effort to gain enjoyment from good moments. It doesn't matter if the moment is drinking a good cup of coffee in the morning, reading a good book curled up by the fire, or spending a day at the beach. Some good moments are commonplace and some are extraordinary. But it's worth taking the time to enjoy them.
There is a great quote from this article: By creating simple rituals without effort, the Danes see both the domestic and personal life as an art form and not everyday drudgery to get away from. Hygge is about being present, recognizing, and enjoying the moment.




I read about this word last week. It gets darker. It goes into about shutting yourselves into a warm cozy place, but also against the incoming winter, metaphorically. The rise in refugees is scaring people, and they're looking to cocoon away from it. This isn't the article I saw, but it also talks about the darker side of the word.
Edit. I keep trying to post the link, and it won't work as a link. So, copy and paste yourselves, if you are interested. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/nov/22/hygge-conspiracy-denmark-cosiness-trend
That's a good article. And I think they do a good job of celebrating the good parts of the hygge while simultaneously criticizing it's negative aspect.
It seems that the two main problems are it is used to suppress problems. I.e. you have to pretend to be superficially happy instead of dealing with difficult problems.
And secondly it is used to exclude people, i.e. it is hard to integrate into Danish culture because if you don't have hygge then what good are you?
As an American, I think it is possible to try to incorporate the cozy definition into my life without the Danish exclusion. I think I'm more at danger of the first happening. Like if my wife wants to talk about something important, and I'm like "stop harshing my mellow yo". Then yeah that could certainly be a problem.
Thanks for pointing out pitfalls. I appreciate it.
I agree, the best meanings of the word continue to be worthwhile. Marketing or politics will co-opt language for their own purposes, but we don't have to accept their message.
Thanks for that link--it addressed many things I never considered. The dog whistle element is sinister. I find it chilling when the words we use become code for their exact opposite.
It also threw into high relief the difference between the idea and the insane commodification that's sprung up around it. I can't imagine anything less hygge than running around buying books, dishes, blankets and wine to try and achieve it.
This is a lot to think about.
I'm a pessimist, scientist, always looking for primary sources. :-/ Sometimes it can get depressing.
I think it's good. I think questioning is important. And I think wanting a complete understanding might make you an optimist. It means you believe the truth is there for the finding.
But I'm not going to lie--sometimes the world feels like bleak science fiction.
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I was wondering the same!
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Definitely, English is very much a melting pot of various languages.
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Ah yes, that is also very true! Aren't linguistics great? <3
Aw, this makes me happy. It's great because it's not about money or acquisition. There are things I do every day that fall into this category and it definitely makes life sweeter.
It does take effort to realize that happiness is more than just money.
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I really like this ... is of a relaxed approach to life, enjoying it as it comes rather than toiling for an imagined better future
Do we have any Danish people in here that could give us more context on this word?
I like it.