Solestalgia

[kimberkit]

Neil Gaiman once wrote that there wasn't a word for that feeling you get when you look at someone you used to love, and remember how it was.

I thought maybe "solestalgia" would be right, and osirusbrisbane suggested the simpler "lostalgia" as a counter, but neither quite gets the "love" notes in there. Ideas?

Comments

[neurosophy.livejournal.com]

The suffix "algia" means suffering or pain, and "nostalgia" is from the greek "nostos" (returning home) and "algia" (pain), thus, pain upon returning home. I get irked by little things like "shopaholic": the "aholic" comes from alcoholic, and that word was clearly invented by adding "ic" to alcohol, so people should be "shoppics" and "chocolics". Anyway.

I'd take the "upon returning" concept and keep nostos, and add "eros", greek for romantic love. Nosteria. Love upon returning "home", this home being metaphorical. Although algia can also mean longing, which is certainly part of the "nostalgia" concept...so maybe nosteralgia. Love and pain and longing upon returning to one's former "home".

[nescio17.livejournal.com]

memoramor