I like 'nerves'! I like the word 'migraineur'. I like the…
“I like 'nerves'! I like the word 'migraineur'. I like the word 'madness'. These are OK words. The 19th century had a very handy term: 'neurasthenic'. I think that's a very useful word. We all know what that means: it means extra-sensitive.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
She celebrates unconventional words for heightened sensitivity, suggesting language can capture nuanced mental states that mainstream terms miss.
In simple terms: Unusual words describe sensitivity.
Value precise language for complex emotions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing
- therapy
- self‑expression
- academic discourse
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does language play in understanding mental states?
- Can new terms reduce stigma?
Over‑reliance on labels may pathologize normal variation.