Big Sur Glossary

Big Sur Glossary

beatnik

a young person in the 1950s and early 1960s belonging to a subculture associated with the beat generation

bluff

an attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or will do something

bucolic

of or relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life

crashing

complete, total

dismal

depressing

eerie

strange and frightening

existentialism

a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will

goop

sloppy or sticky semifluid matter, typically something unpleasant

greasy

covered with an oily substance

hangover

a severe headache or other after effects caused by drinking an excess of alcohol

harsh

unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses

jovial

cheerful and friendly

lachrymose

tearful or given to weeping

luminous

bright or shining, esp. in the dark

pessimism

a tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen, a lack of hope or confidence in the future

repent

feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin

roomette

a private single compartment in a railroad sleeping car

solitude

the state or situation of being alone

woebegone

sad or miserable in appearance

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