A friend of mine invented this word awhile back. It means having the appropriate amount of shame. It’s going to catch on. Sooner or later.
Lest you think this is a completely unnecessary word, consider the fact that shameless and shameful are opposites, but are both distinctly negative. Beshamed is a positive descriptor that falls perfectly between the two. Speaking of shame…
I had to work late tonight (I’m quite beshamed to say that “working late” is still before 7…), and I had a meeting right afterwards. I had planned on waiting to have dinner after my meeting (roughly 9pm, which is pretty late, if you know me), but I was starving when I left work at 6:30. So I did what every rational human being would do: I stopped at the chick-fil-a on my way and got the nuggets kid’s meal. You don’t do that? What?!
So if I’m really honest with myself, I’m more than beshamed about this. I’d describe it more as “shameful”. I don’t know which I’m more ashamed of, the fast food or the kid’s meal.
Why is there so much shame associated with our food choices? I don’t mind saying that I’m judgmental of other people’s eating habits. I don’t appreciate when they’re judgmental of mine, yet I always anticipate their being so. Hypocrisy? You betcha’! And I’m beshamed. Trust you, me: I’m beshamed.