These two words seem unrelated but, at times, share a fishy kinship. One, ichthyological, belongs to the scientific world of fish. The other word, monachopsis, is less precise and pertains to emotional displacement. Together, they describe the strange calm that comes when solitude finds its natural habitat. Think of the phrase “like a fish out of water.”
Ichthyological
Ichthyological is an adjective meaning “about fish or the scientific study of fish.” It is a portmanteau of the Greek ikhthys, meaning “fish,” and logos, meaning “study.” For humans, it can be a world of glass tanks and quiet observation. It is a discipline that measures life by fins and scales, and by the patience of those who watch.
“Sam’s ichthyological research kept him near water, and he usually smelled like an old fisherman.”
“The professor’s office smelled like salt and formaldehyde, the odors of an ichthyological enthusiast.”
“Judy’s ichthyological specimens lined her shelves like old secrets waiting for someone to explore them.”
Monachopsis
Monachopsis is a modern “word” from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig, describing the subtle but persistent feeling of being out of place. It is not despair but a sense that the world has shifted half a step away. It describes a feeling one gets when you feel unseen or unheard but not entirely lost. It too is a portmanteau of the words monakhos (ancient Greek for solitary) and opsis (ancient Greek for vision).
“Kathy felt a bit of monachopsis in the coffeehouse as the conversation drifted along, as though she had missed part of it.”
“Joseph’s monachopsis was mild but constant, like background noise that never quite stopped.”
“The city’s rhythm created a faint monachopsis, a reminder to its residents that belonging is never a guarantee.”
Combining These Two
Combining these two is a bit difficult for me, so I have to consider someone who works at a professional aquarium to find a fit. But if you consider people who collaborate with fish to be awkward with people, things start to fall into place.
“Tom’s monachopsis was never an issue when he was alone with his fish, an ichthyological mystery to him.”
“Pete fed all the fish in the city’s aquarium each day, fulfilling his ichthyological responsibilities but giving him a sense of monachopsis with others.
“In the ichthyological hush of a museum’s basement, monachopsis loosens its grip.”
