The end of the world is nigh. Unless you’ve been living under a rock (which, ironically, is where some of the people who believe the world is going to end are actually living) for the past year you’ve undoubtedly heard the rumours that the world could/will end on 21 December 2012. Newspaper articles, documentaries, Facebook updates, tweets, TV reports... all of this leads to a lot of uncommon or unfamiliar vocabulary being used. So that’s why we’ve made a small list of some of the keywords and names, ensuring that you will be perceived as a true apocalypse connoisseur. Your fame and reputation will, of course, only last for two more days but hey, it’s better than nothing, isn’t it?
Bugarach: a small Pyrenean village that is currently being flooded with people because, according to an old prophecy, it will be the only place on earth left standing after 21 December. It is also rumoured that there are spaceships inside the oddly-shaped mountain that looms over the village.
Doomsday destination: see Bugarach.
Doomsday party: Any excuse for a party! Doomsday parties are popping up everywhere and on the 21st of December, many people will be facing the apocalypse in their dancing shoes. ‘If the world does end, we might as well go down dancing and if not, well, then we still had a good time’, seems to be the general idea.
Doomsday prepper: Someone who is meticulously preparing him or herself in order to survive the apocalypse. Stocking up on dried foods, canned goods, water supplies; a prepper is ready to live in a customized shelter for a few months.
Mayan calendar: The main instigator of all this apocalyptic frenzy. Apparently, their 5,125-year spanning calendar ends on 21 December 2012, which has been interpreted by some people as the inevitable end of the world. But then again, every calendar has to stop at one point, doesn't it?
Nasa video: The space agency is so confident in its prediction that the world will not end in 2012 that it posted a Youtube video to reassure everyone. The video was originally intended to be published on 22 December (the day after) but instead, they choose to upload it a couple of days ago in an attempt to counter outbursts of fear and panic.
Nibiru: a ‘supposed planet’, rapidly making its way to earth, which will lead to a fatal collision on, yep, you guessed it, 21 December 2012. Nibiru was actually meant to hit our planet in 2003 but since this, for some strange and mysterious reason, didn’t happen the date of impact was postponed to 21 December 2012, linking nicely with the end of the Mayan calendar.
So, tell us what you'll be doing on 21 December? If you're planning on a last-minute trip to Bugarach, don't forget to contact ElaN for a quick French language session.
Tim Cunningham
