The Language of the New Year

The English language is filled with wonderful (and often funny) words. As a writer, words fascinate me. In my writing, I always try to play around with words, to try to come up with different ways to say the same thing. It's a challenge that I enjoy. I also enjoy showing off my skills at language whenever I get the chance (although, despite what my wife might say, I don't know all the words).

For New Year's, my wife and I attended a laid-back party, which consisted of many fine tasting deserts, a Barbie movie (courtesy of the four-year old guest. Not that I watched it or now know some of the songs...ahem) and a spirited game of Cranium.

The teams were split between the girls and the guys and one question had the boys’ team stumped. One of our team members had to describe a word to us using only play dough. This was made doubly tough when he admitted to not quite knowing what the word meant. In a desperate attempt to get through to his thick-headed teammates (some of whom just couldn't tear their eyes away from the Barbie movie), he constructed an 'M', which looked curiously like McDonald's golden arches. At the last minute, I blurted out in frustration, "Mukluk!" The girls stared at me in amazement, for that, my friends, was the correct response.

There is a lesson to be learned here: learn every word you can, because you never know when a hastily blurted out, funny sounding word will win you the point.

(How did the boys’ team do, you ask? Well, I hardly think that's relevant to the story. Hey, look over there!)