It might not be as enticing as "swooners" but I wonder if the term "pearl
and umbra" is Nabokov's coinage.  From Humbert's usage, I had assumed it
was a technical -- but richly connotative -- term with prior use.   Having
tried to find other uses, I'm not so sure.  The Russian
"zhemchuzhno-matovye" sounds more clearly poetic and descriptive.  Does
anyone know if "pearl and umbra" was used before Lolita?  (Most Google
hits refer to a 1999 collaborative music album put together by Russell
Mills.)
Eric Naiman

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