word of the month

girl-brain |gərl-brān|

definition: "When she decides for the sake of her own sanity not to read any special meaning into any of the actions of the men she's friends with because she knows instinctively that their kindness/warmth toward her is no different than how they treat any other woman.  She tells herself that she has no reason to think that it's anything but a friendship, and she tells herself that she likes it that way.  But every now and then, she thinks to herself, 'Wouldn't it be nice...' and dares to hope (against her better judgment) before reminding herself not to read into things.  But then she starts to wonder (also against her better judgment) if she's missing cues that she's supposed to be picking up because of her decision not to read into anything.  So she spends a substantial amount of time faithfully repeating 'JBF... JBF... JBF' in hopes of re-training her brain.  Signals the start of an emotional roller-coaster that alternates between high hopes and dashed hopes in the absence of any solid empirical evidence with regard to any changes in the relationship.  Getting off the roller coaster proves difficult, and is marked by misery/dread/resignation, versus anticipation/spring fever/excitement (the latter exists where she knows instinctively that there is something there, and is waiting for the moment it happens)."

common usage: "I have girl-brain" or "Stupid girl-brain... If he would just find a wonderful girl to date, life would be so much easier."

origin: I deem it a new word.  Because I can, and because my small poll of college-age females concurs.