Over the years, we’ve borrowed plenty of incredible words from our Scandinavian neighbours.
Denmark gave us ‘hygge’ – a word which, essentially, translates to “enjoying life’s simple pleasures”, and helped us to understand the Danish’s obsession with sweet treats, fluffy socks, and flickering candles around the hearth. Next, we were introduced to the uniquely Swedish word of ‘lagom’, which encourages us to streamline our lifestyles so that they’re more functional and efficient. Or, in short, that we’re living with “just the right amount” (and doing the bulk of our shopping in the likes of IKEA and Lidl).
All well and good, we suppose. But, sometimes, we just want to shut the curtains, strip down to our underwear, and glug wine while binge-watching our favourite Netflix shows. And, annoyingly, there’s no one word to sum that lifestyle choice up for us.
Until now, that is…
That’s right; there’s a word out there that literally means to stay in and have a a drink. At home. In your underwear.
And that word, which hails from Finland, is kalsarikännit.
“The feeling when you are going to get drunk home alone in your underwear – with no intention of going out,” reads the dictionary definition.
Or, more accurately, that strange sensation you get after a long and arduous day at the office.
Kalsarikännit – pronounced “karl-zar-ee-can-ee” – is the perfect word to drop into a Whatsapp conversation when someone asks you what your plans are for the evening. Particularly if you’ve had a bad day, all your friends are busy, and you’re treating yourself to a G&T in the comfort of your own flat.
Or, if you don’t fancy typing out the entire word, Finland have created two emojis, both of which have specificially been designed to sum up kalsarikännit in all its glory.
All you have to do is fire off the little picture of the illustrated woman chilling out in her armchair, red wine in hand, and everyone will know exactly what you’re up to.
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