Short. Sweet. Macabre.
November 30, 2013 11:14 AM Subscribe
An artist friend makes charming decorative lettered signs with uplifting, inspiring words on them. 'Growth.' 'Love.' 'Inspire.' 'Dream.' I asked her if she had 'Vengeance' - regrettably, it was not in stock.
I determined it would be necessary that I commission a sign, but I'd want to think about it really thoroughly first, because there are heaps of words that appeal, but naturally I can think of none of them. Some fond favorites are 'Skullduggery', 'Grisly Discovery', all the deadly sins and the horsemen of the apocalypse. But just like the instant I walk into a book store, most of my brilliant ideas have gone hiding. So I turn to you. Give me your sardonic, your morbid, your yearning to be expressed in colorful cut tin on weathered barn board.
I determined it would be necessary that I commission a sign, but I'd want to think about it really thoroughly first, because there are heaps of words that appeal, but naturally I can think of none of them. Some fond favorites are 'Skullduggery', 'Grisly Discovery', all the deadly sins and the horsemen of the apocalypse. But just like the instant I walk into a book store, most of my brilliant ideas have gone hiding. So I turn to you. Give me your sardonic, your morbid, your yearning to be expressed in colorful cut tin on weathered barn board.
My downstairs neighbor has some of these dreadful things in her alcove. I briefly -- briefly -- thought about doing something similar in a sad fit of pique, but then I remembered that she's an idiot and I don't have to compete with an idiot.
Regardless, I admire some certain part of what you're asking for, and it just so happens that I have my list of terms handy from my memoir notes. They are yours to use.
Plot.
Conspire.
Infiltrate.
Terminate.
Crush.
Control.
posted by Malory Archer at 11:26 AM on November 30, 2013 [14 favorites]
Regardless, I admire some certain part of what you're asking for, and it just so happens that I have my list of terms handy from my memoir notes. They are yours to use.
Plot.
Conspire.
Infiltrate.
Terminate.
Crush.
Control.
posted by Malory Archer at 11:26 AM on November 30, 2013 [14 favorites]
Live furtively.
Scuttle.
Skulk.
Conspire.
Maunder.
Chastise.
Gripe.
Settle.
Seethe.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:27 AM on November 30, 2013 [5 favorites]
Scuttle.
Skulk.
Conspire.
Maunder.
Chastise.
Gripe.
Settle.
Seethe.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:27 AM on November 30, 2013 [5 favorites]
Schadenfreude.
posted by Lucinda at 11:34 AM on November 30, 2013 [11 favorites]
posted by Lucinda at 11:34 AM on November 30, 2013 [11 favorites]
Fistula.
posted by pont at 11:35 AM on November 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by pont at 11:35 AM on November 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Grimace.
Despair.
Lament.
Gnash and rend.
Undermine.
Sabotage.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:39 AM on November 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Despair.
Lament.
Gnash and rend.
Undermine.
Sabotage.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:39 AM on November 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
HATE.
posted by limeonaire at 11:40 AM on November 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by limeonaire at 11:40 AM on November 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
Scheme well. Betray often. Forsake much.
posted by headnsouth at 11:50 AM on November 30, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by headnsouth at 11:50 AM on November 30, 2013 [9 favorites]
"They know."
posted by ColdChef at 11:53 AM on November 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by ColdChef at 11:53 AM on November 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Obey, Conform, Forget, Suffer, Pretend, Acquiesce, Nullify, Deaden, Stupefy
posted by misteraitch at 11:54 AM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by misteraitch at 11:54 AM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
My mother, as a response to a particularly arrogant neighbor's vanity plate reading "Awesome", always wanted to get one that said "Mediocre". "Mediocrity" would also work.
Also, no one has yet mentioned Despair, Inc and it must be done - they're the cynical answer to Successories. There will be much inspiration there.
posted by restless_nomad at 11:58 AM on November 30, 2013 [6 favorites]
Also, no one has yet mentioned Despair, Inc and it must be done - they're the cynical answer to Successories. There will be much inspiration there.
posted by restless_nomad at 11:58 AM on November 30, 2013 [6 favorites]
Supression
Manipulation
Betrayal
Loathing
Resentment
posted by contraption at 12:09 PM on November 30, 2013
Manipulation
Betrayal
Loathing
Resentment
posted by contraption at 12:09 PM on November 30, 2013
Seethe
posted by Pudhoho at 12:26 PM on November 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Pudhoho at 12:26 PM on November 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
WOE.
Or 'failure', but I prefer 'woe'.
posted by Sing Or Swim at 12:39 PM on November 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Or 'failure', but I prefer 'woe'.
posted by Sing Or Swim at 12:39 PM on November 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Or go biblical:
Covet thy neighbor.
Dishonor.
Worship false idols.
posted by Random Person at 12:49 PM on November 30, 2013
Covet thy neighbor.
Dishonor.
Worship false idols.
posted by Random Person at 12:49 PM on November 30, 2013
Evil
posted by corey flood at 12:57 PM on November 30, 2013
posted by corey flood at 12:57 PM on November 30, 2013
Meh.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 12:57 PM on November 30, 2013
posted by SuperSquirrel at 12:57 PM on November 30, 2013
Abandon Hope.
posted by MonkeyToes at 2:02 PM on November 30, 2013
posted by MonkeyToes at 2:02 PM on November 30, 2013
You could do an "Anti-lovestory" sequence:
Connection.
Erection -
Perfection.
Projection.
Subjection.
Defection.
Dejection.
Or just an "ection" sign with several signs for the beginning of the word, which you could rotate as the mood hits. Other candidates: abjection, rejection, infection, dissection, objection, deception, deflection, dissection.
posted by miorita at 2:06 PM on November 30, 2013
Connection.
Erection -
Perfection.
Projection.
Subjection.
Defection.
Dejection.
Or just an "ection" sign with several signs for the beginning of the word, which you could rotate as the mood hits. Other candidates: abjection, rejection, infection, dissection, objection, deception, deflection, dissection.
posted by miorita at 2:06 PM on November 30, 2013
Exterminate
Herpes
Aggravation
Intestines
Self-Aggrandizement
Self-Congratulatory
Annoying
Smegma
Santorum
posted by bunderful at 2:40 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Herpes
Aggravation
Intestines
Self-Aggrandizement
Self-Congratulatory
Annoying
Smegma
Santorum
posted by bunderful at 2:40 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sodomy
posted by emilyw at 2:59 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by emilyw at 2:59 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Wrath
Fornication
Self-consciousness
Profanity
Botox
Shadows
Poison
Decay
Sorcery
Thunder
Flatulence
Desperation
posted by emilyw at 3:12 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Fornication
Self-consciousness
Profanity
Botox
Shadows
Poison
Decay
Sorcery
Thunder
Flatulence
Desperation
posted by emilyw at 3:12 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
This really caught my fancy and I came up with a series which I will call the List of Quiet Desperation. There's a little overlap with suggestions above.
Inadequate
Futility
Indifference
Ineffectual
Impotent
Pointless
Meaningless
Mediocrity
Renunciation
Conformity
Settle
Resignation
Abandon
Betrayal
Disappointment
Pathetic
Denial
Defeated
Cede
Misery
Helpless
Hopeless
posted by Athanassiel at 4:06 PM on November 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Inadequate
Futility
Indifference
Ineffectual
Impotent
Pointless
Meaningless
Mediocrity
Renunciation
Conformity
Settle
Resignation
Abandon
Betrayal
Disappointment
Pathetic
Denial
Defeated
Cede
Misery
Helpless
Hopeless
posted by Athanassiel at 4:06 PM on November 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Torpor
posted by Pudhoho at 4:21 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Pudhoho at 4:21 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Skullduggery is fantastic! I'm thinking words like this that conjure up Edward Gorey's illustrations would be better to have around and see every day. Words that mean delightfully evil rather than depressing or cynical. A Hero would have the motivational words and a Nemesis would have these.
I'd have to first go with Misanthropy - something I feel when I see those damned motivational posters. And then,
Devious
Nefarious
Ignominious
Scourge
Malevolence
Brooding
Diabolical
Dastardly
Rapscallion
Depravity
Sinister
Wicked
Malicious
Despicable
Disreputable
Miscreant
Fiendish
Pernicious
Iniquity
And some maybe a little milder:
Infamy
Scandalous
Wayward
Incorrigible
Cunning
Lustful
Irredeemable
Mischievous
Naughty
Impish
Headstrong
Sly
Arch
Oh man, I have got to make some of these for my garden next spring! And I've also gotten fabulous ideas for my sister's birthday present. Thanks!
posted by Beti at 6:34 PM on November 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
I'd have to first go with Misanthropy - something I feel when I see those damned motivational posters. And then,
Devious
Nefarious
Ignominious
Scourge
Malevolence
Brooding
Diabolical
Dastardly
Rapscallion
Depravity
Sinister
Wicked
Malicious
Despicable
Disreputable
Miscreant
Fiendish
Pernicious
Iniquity
And some maybe a little milder:
Infamy
Scandalous
Wayward
Incorrigible
Cunning
Lustful
Irredeemable
Mischievous
Naughty
Impish
Headstrong
Sly
Arch
Oh man, I have got to make some of these for my garden next spring! And I've also gotten fabulous ideas for my sister's birthday present. Thanks!
posted by Beti at 6:34 PM on November 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
"You know what you did."
posted by Lescha at 7:36 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Lescha at 7:36 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
I love this thread SO MUCH. Also: every time I see "Live Laugh Love", I mentally append "Retch Gag Spew". So there's that.
posted by julthumbscrew at 7:53 PM on November 30, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by julthumbscrew at 7:53 PM on November 30, 2013 [5 favorites]
Also: every time I see "Live Laugh Love", I mentally append "Retch Gag Spew". So there's that.
A friend of mine retitled the execrable "Eat, Pray, Love" as "Gripe, Brag, Screw." I've been unable to think of it as anything else since.
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:18 PM on November 30, 2013 [5 favorites]
A friend of mine retitled the execrable "Eat, Pray, Love" as "Gripe, Brag, Screw." I've been unable to think of it as anything else since.
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:18 PM on November 30, 2013 [5 favorites]
SUBMIT
posted by Mister Moofoo at 10:11 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Mister Moofoo at 10:11 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oooh I can imagine lots of pretty signs:
ENNUI (The Sartre)
THE HORROR (The Joseph Conrad)
SLOTH (The Anti-Pynchon)
MEATHOOK REALITIES (The Hunter S Thompson)
OBEY, CONFORM, CONSUME, MARRY AND REPRODUCE, THIS IS YOUR GOD (They Live)
GUILT (The Catholic)
CONTEMPT (The Screwtape)
AGONY (the Silence of the Lambs)
FUCK IT (the Classic)
posted by yoHighness at 4:23 AM on December 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
ENNUI (The Sartre)
THE HORROR (The Joseph Conrad)
SLOTH (The Anti-Pynchon)
MEATHOOK REALITIES (The Hunter S Thompson)
OBEY, CONFORM, CONSUME, MARRY AND REPRODUCE, THIS IS YOUR GOD (They Live)
GUILT (The Catholic)
CONTEMPT (The Screwtape)
AGONY (the Silence of the Lambs)
FUCK IT (the Classic)
posted by yoHighness at 4:23 AM on December 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Vilify
posted by vitabellosi at 5:11 AM on December 1, 2013
posted by vitabellosi at 5:11 AM on December 1, 2013
Abominable (as in 'The Abominable Dr Phibes').
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 8:36 AM on December 1, 2013
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 8:36 AM on December 1, 2013
This is a two-worder but-- "Fuck 'em."
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 10:59 AM on December 1, 2013
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 10:59 AM on December 1, 2013
This is so great. If you want to echo those motivational signs, go with a noun. So vengeance would definitely work.
posted by radioamy at 11:17 AM on December 1, 2013
posted by radioamy at 11:17 AM on December 1, 2013
Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn!
posted by Athanassiel at 6:17 PM on December 1, 2013
posted by Athanassiel at 6:17 PM on December 1, 2013
Plot.
Conspire.
Infiltrate.
Terminate.
Crush.
Control.
posted by Malory Archer
Eponysterical!
posted by Lucinda at 10:56 AM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
Conspire.
Infiltrate.
Terminate.
Crush.
Control.
posted by Malory Archer
Eponysterical!
posted by Lucinda at 10:56 AM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
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Malefactor
Miscreant
Peculiar
Torture
Torment
Lachrymose
posted by S'Tella Fabula at 11:25 AM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]