desenrascanço
n.— «“Desenrascanço” (you read that ‘the-zen-rascan-so’) is simply a slang word for the slacker art of coming up with some last-minute solution for a problem—and as a rule the solution will end up doing more harm than simply avoiding the problem (unless avoiding the problem is exactly that last-minute solution—a very common scenario). What I don’t get is the article’s connection between “desenrascanço” and those fake academic “traditions” which consist in the ritual bullying of freshmen. Unfortunately “desenrascanço” has far greater scope, and it is a true defining quality of being Portuguese—even perhaps what separates us from the Spanish.» —“Glossy black plastic toys” by Eduardo J. Sousa If Then Else (Porto, Portugal) May 31, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
We tend to take the index of a book for granted, but centuries ago, these helpful lists were viewed with suspicion. Some even worried that indexes would harm reading comprehension! A witty new book tells the story. Plus, the Latin term bona fides...
An acclaimed poet’s tender poem about holding a newborn for the first time reflects a complex swirl of emotions. And: A caller finds that in her workplace, the expression out of pocket can mean very different things: either “being unavailable” or...