Word of the Day: penetralia

penetralia (n)

The innermost parts of a structure, especially a temple sanctuary; the most private or secret part of something.

"'True,' answered my wife. "And in that sense we are a mystery to our neighbors.'
'Doubtless we are,' said I. 'Doubtless there have been questions asked about us many times which none answered satisfactorily, and which still remain as unsolved problems. There is a penetralia in every family.'"
--Timothy Shay Arthur, Our Neighbors in the Corner House

I wish my neighbors were more of a mystery. Last weekend we were treated to both their barking dog, who glared down at us from their elevated back deck as we puttered around in the yard, and a loud 1950s rock-and-roll concert from their open windows. Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom!