Help me find this word!
January 2, 2011 3:32 PM
A friend is searching for "a word that describes the state of knowing something but being unable to express it". Not by physical defect or injury, but like being tongue-tied. He's looking for one word only.
Aphasia isn't quite it, because it requires a defect. But that might be what he's thinking of.
Dumbstruck probably isn't it either, because that's not a specific word, but a temporary inability to speak.
(Verklempt is to be emotionally choked up and unable to speak due to a "lump in the throat")
posted by gjc at 3:38 PM on January 2, 2011
Dumbstruck probably isn't it either, because that's not a specific word, but a temporary inability to speak.
(Verklempt is to be emotionally choked up and unable to speak due to a "lump in the throat")
posted by gjc at 3:38 PM on January 2, 2011
Wordless
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:42 PM on January 2, 2011
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:42 PM on January 2, 2011
inarticulate?
in·ar·tic·u·late/ˌinärˈtikyəlit/Adjective
1. Unable to speak distinctly or express oneself clearly.
posted by TheGoodBlood at 4:01 PM on January 2, 2011
in·ar·tic·u·late/ˌinärˈtikyəlit/Adjective
1. Unable to speak distinctly or express oneself clearly.
posted by TheGoodBlood at 4:01 PM on January 2, 2011
It's "tip of the tongue" phenomenon, but I can't think of a single word to express that. Maybe that phrase'll help you find it, though.
According to Wiki, a bunch of different languages use that same expression to describe what you're talking about.
posted by estlin at 4:15 PM on January 2, 2011
According to Wiki, a bunch of different languages use that same expression to describe what you're talking about.
posted by estlin at 4:15 PM on January 2, 2011
ineffable?
posted by ultrapotato at 4:31 PM on January 2, 2011
posted by ultrapotato at 4:31 PM on January 2, 2011
Inexpressible.
posted by orthogonality at 4:45 PM on January 2, 2011
posted by orthogonality at 4:45 PM on January 2, 2011
speechless or dumbfounded?
Or, why not just use tongue-tied? Since it's one word and you already used it in your description, it seems like it fits better than any of our other suggestions which are close but not quite.
posted by amyms at 5:00 PM on January 2, 2011
Or, why not just use tongue-tied? Since it's one word and you already used it in your description, it seems like it fits better than any of our other suggestions which are close but not quite.
posted by amyms at 5:00 PM on January 2, 2011
"She couldn't find the words to express her objection, but her gut told her this was totally wrong."
posted by Short Attention Sp at 5:12 PM on January 2, 2011
posted by Short Attention Sp at 5:12 PM on January 2, 2011
"Aphasia" is commonly used to refer to the everyday phenomenon in addition to the actual condition mentioned above.
posted by cmoj at 5:37 PM on January 2, 2011
posted by cmoj at 5:37 PM on January 2, 2011
Paralyzed (in a metaphorical sense)? Mum?
"Wordless" and "dumbstruck" work best of the ones so far, IMHO. I'd also use the phrase "at a loss for words" if not for the somewhat arbitrary one-word requirement.
posted by Rhaomi at 6:03 PM on January 2, 2011
"Wordless" and "dumbstruck" work best of the ones so far, IMHO. I'd also use the phrase "at a loss for words" if not for the somewhat arbitrary one-word requirement.
posted by Rhaomi at 6:03 PM on January 2, 2011
"tip-of-the-tongue" is the term used in psychology to describe this phenomenon in healthy people.
posted by dantekgeek at 8:48 PM on January 2, 2011
posted by dantekgeek at 8:48 PM on January 2, 2011
Geh, heathergirl beat me to suggesting lethologica. +1.
posted by AthenaPolias at 2:08 PM on January 3, 2011
posted by AthenaPolias at 2:08 PM on January 3, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by thinkpiece at 3:36 PM on January 2, 2011