Image by Chingiz Khalafov from Pixabay
A Temporary Stay
I learned the word peripatetic from mjcd2017 here.
peripatetic: traveling from place to place, in particular working or based in various places for relatively short periods. This word has a temporary feel to it.
sojourn: a temporary stay.
tarry: to remain or stay, as in a place; sojourn
layover: a period of rest or waiting before a further stage in a journey.
There are a lot of words about a person who only stays temporarily and many of these words don’t have a positive connotation. Often these people wander from place to place without a home or job, like vagabond, tramp, nomad, wanderer, hobo, migrant, vagrant, drifter, gypsy. As a person of Mongolian descent, I don’t agree with the derogatory sentiment these words represent. Mongolians were nomads and a small portion is still nomadic nowadays. It is a life style and a culture that should be respected. Buddhist monks are supposed to be wanderers for the first three years of their religious life, but of course nowadays many people don’t practice that, although I heard that many monks in Thailand are still allowed to engage in such an ancient practice.
For A Short Time
evanescent: soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing.
fleeting: lasting for a very short time.
impermanent: not permanent.
transient: lasting only for a short time; impermanent.
transitory: not permanent.
ephemeral: lasting for a very short time.
fugacious: tending to disappear; fleeting.
Long Lasting
permanent, endless, timeless, ageless all means something long lasting.
perpetual: never ending or changing.
eternal: lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning.
sempiternal: eternal and unchanging; everlasting.
perdurable: enduring continuously; imperishable.
imperishable: enduring forever.
perennial: lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring. This word is also used on plants–perennial plants vs. annual plants.
longevity: long life
forevermore: forever
Haoyan Do 
Very interesting words- some of them are only slightly different from one another. It’s interesting how they have multiple words with very similar meanings.
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Yes, that’s so true. English is very keen in doing that.
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Interesting. Words of temporary nature do seem to carry more negativity than words of permanence.
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LOL. Yes, tell me about it. Our mind loves order and permanence and less risk.
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I agree with you. Certain words just gain a bad reputation for no apparent reason. Especially when their significance and origins are overshadowed with incorrect representations. Great words! 🙂
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Thank you. Some words are unfairly vilified and needs new interpretation. LOL.
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I don’t like the negative connotation of wanderers either considering I have spent my life in 5 countries so I know what people think of wanderers
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Yes, nowadays wanderers are not welcome. Actually even a new stop of public bus in the township is not welcome in the township and is a subject of fierce debate.
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That’s why I hang out a lot with people who are from other countries and/or TCKs like myself
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