Tell me of something one can not name?

Question

By "one", I mean people or language, take it any way you want, or both.

thephoneguy1234, it can and has a name, "it."

Answer 1

I can't, not really. By definition: ineffable. I can't use words to represent it to you.

I could cheat and name it in a metaphorical or tricksy way, using words like "god" or "existence." People do this all the time, and end up talking nonsense. Because then, I would no longer be talking about it. I can only talk about something that is nameable. I'd just have to hope you'd understand that I'm referring obliquely, metaphorically, to something unnameable... you could never prove to me that you "got it."

There's really only one "thing" (not a "thing") which is refractory to representation or abstraction (naming), and that's direct conscious experience -- as in, yours, right now.

Answer 2

The opposite of want is hate, dislike, and disinterest according to dictionary.com but I understand what you mean.

Something that cannot be named eh? I can think of an example. There is one word that needs to be added to the English language.

This might be off topic:
How would you make a question, so that the answer is as follows. Manitoba is Canada's fifth province. Not: Which province is Canada's fifth province? But something like: What is Manitoba's rank in the order that the provinces of Canada were formed?

Or if you are asking for directions:
You want an answer like the 4th street. And you are thinking of a question. You could ask: How many streets do I have to pass before reaching your street. But that would just result in 3. Not 4TH.

Answer 3

"it" cannot be named. it is it

Answer 4

Something that cannot be named, eh? Wow, what a toughie...

How about the feeling you get when you--or at least I--can feel your mind expanding when you try to think of something philosophical or unique? The feeling as if your mind is wrapping around something (when I feel it I think it feels like it's wrapping around something shaped like a cube), or sometimes even flowing down a strainer leaving only mild remnants of your original intellect? I can't really explain it... but then, isn't that what you asked for?

Answer 5

You are struggling with the concept of "reification" which the Hopi Indians would understand.

For example, in Hopi, "snow."

In English, "it snows." Or, "it snowed."

What is the "it?"

In Hopi there is no time or space, and no need to "reify" snow.

Hopi is physics oriented, English is cause effect oriented.

In Hopi, one can call the act of snow falling "snow", but one would not say, "it snowed."

Answer 6

The opposite of "wanting".

Answer 7

"Mu."

Bonus points if you can tell me author of the book this came from. ;P

Answer 8

Their parents or parent.