Mamihlapinatapai

One concept. Four tiers of command. Which do you speak?

Category: Communication

Foundational Lexiconshared unspoken desire
Executive Parlancemutual hesitation
Scholarly Discoursereciprocal anticipation
Babel ZenithMamihlapinatapai
Origin: Yaghan
Pronunciation: /ˌmæmɪhlɑːpɪnɑːtəˈpaɪ/

Etymology & Meaning

A look shared when both people want something but neither acts.

In the Boardroom

When both parties want a deal but wait for the other to move.

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