Lemondrop

There are some moments in life that desperately need a word made up to describe it. Like when you wake up not quite sober and not quite drunk. Or when you have kinda-sex with a guy, but no one really counts it as sleeping together. I was recently made privy to a new word -- acronym, actually -- that describes one of these situations: SRS, Sudden Revulsion Syndrome.

The term originated in a column by former Philadelphia magazine writer and currenter New York magazine writer Jessica Pressler back in 2006 and has floated around online ever since. It's described as so:

"SRS is a relationship-degenerative disease. It's frequently triggered by a small, seemingly insignificant thing -- a behavior, a physical characteristic, a genetic disposition toward Hummels -- that immediately and irrevocably renders your mate unattractive. It is, in most cases, terminal. Side effects include angst about being shallow and the bone-chilling fear that one is too picky and will die alone."

This sneak-attack deal-breaker comes seemingly out of nowhere, blindsiding you with total abhorrence toward said subject while things were otherwise going well. It's worth noting that while SRS is most common in budding relationships and one-night stands, it can also be applied inward, such as toward your dependence on a chocolate-chip muffin and iced-coffee breakfast that's been doing you right for so long, or your status as a regular at a local bar.

Now that SRS has been introduced to my vocabulary, I am much better at communicating my sudden and often irrational disgust with formerly lovely people and things. Please, if you know of a word that is perfect for what many consider an indescribable situation, please leave it in the comments. Thank you.