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
To be creasing, or to be creased up, means you’re laughing so hard you’re doubled over at the waist, as if your belly has a big crease in it. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of ““Creasing” and “Creased Up”: Laughing So Hard You...
Kinbank is a new database that illustrates the global diversity of family terms. English, for example, specifies sibling relationships with just one of two terms: sister or brother. But most other languages have even more specific terms. In...