For a writer like me, finding the right words is so important. I like to carefully select from the universe of possibilities to ensure that they truly describe how I feel or convey what I’m trying to express. When I’m writing about food for instance, I want to represent the deliciousness of a rich chocolate cupcake in such a vivid manner that you can practically taste the smooth, whipped buttercream frosting melting in your mouth as my description glides off the page. Mmmm! Even I want another bite.
But there are some things that are just so hard to characterize or capture. Even I wiggle and ponder and edit when I’m not quite sure how to write what I’m thinking. And finding the precise words can be tricky. But then I realize that making up words is part of a writer’s job! Oh, yes, it is. And that I’ve been doing for a long time actually. I have all sorts of meanings assigned to all sorts of words and phrases. Let me explain…
I can often hear myself say, “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice!” I didn’t coin this phrase but I do favor this expression. It’s always used as a form of jest, but I just love the juxtaposition that’s meant to describe anger but morphed into a deadly if looks could kill comment. And it always seems to break the tension when I use it properly. Friends would certainly say that that line is so me. Indeed.
Toonage is a word I use to describe music. This originated from, “So, Ahab. Can I have all my doobage?” And if I need to remind you what movie that’s from then I’d be questioning our whole relationship. But since you know it’s the cult classic The Breakfast Club (obviously!), doobage is clearly a variant of doobie, slang for marijuana. So toonage is a variant of tune. Yep. I gotchoo.
In my vocabulary, Hufflepuff has become synonymous with to move slowly, or strut with purpose. As in, “Hufflepuff on over here and gimme a kiss, handsome.” Having never actually seen or read Harry Potter, this is a total steal but one I like.
Drinks are usually called sippables or slurpables depending on the consistency of the beverage. A sippable would be club soda or lemonade while a slurpable would be a chocolate shake or a smoothie. And a fabulous thick drink would be slurptastic. Makes sense, right? Sometimes regardless of the bevy I leave off the “r” so it’s just a dink. And when you say it you have to whine like a little kid, “I need a dink!”
I use the word nonny to describe a nap. I’ve been saying it so long I can even remember when it started. If someone snores I call them Snoreburt. (Not mentioning any names!) I really think that’s the sound a snore makes!
Crapshop is what you do when you visit Target and load your cart with absolute non-necessities that tip the scale of financial injustices and completely eclipse the must buy items that made your original shopping list. I’m sure you all do this, but now you have a fancy schmancy name for it!
If you’ve ever been to camp of any kind, rainy day activities are planned when enjoying the uncooperative summertime weather just isn’t possible. But in my house it’s used to describe blocks of time when you’re just too tired to leave the cave. This allows you to enjoy a multitude of at home luxuries even when it’s perfectly sunny outside. So have a rainy day activity of binge watching a show in June for example. Or catch up with a friend on an hours long call in August if you like. It’s always a good time for a rainy day activity!
Sleep jelly. This is a hilarious one. A friend of mine in college was consumed by this concept. She thought that when you went to bed for the night, an invisible layer of imperceptible sleep jelly would coat your entire body forcing you into an immediate shower the moment you opened your eyes the next day. It was a running joke between us back then. “Do not come over my house if you’re still sporting sleep jelly. Go shower!” Now I use the term with Michael all the time. If we are leaving the house and he hasn’t showered I tell him everyone will be able to see his sleep jelly!
I agree that the English language is sometimes silly. The concept of who and whom baffles me completely and I’ve already told you that the semi colon is, to me, a worthless little mark. Commas are my real friends. Anywho, I know someone who honestly doesn’t know the word supposedly and instead utters her version which comes out supposebly. And now I’ve started saying it out of habit even though I know better. Ugh!
Most people have heard of The Irish Goodbye. It’s when you leave a party or event without properly making the rounds to say your thank yous to the host and wave/kiss/hug/shake hands with everyone as you depart. I usually use the words, “I’m Elvis,” as in I’m leaving the building. But have you ever heard of The Irish Hello?
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