[Anne] The Words We Use Are Powerful

The words we use are powerful. I am sure all you authors know this, but I would like to give some examples of how we use and understand words.

One evening, Middle Child made the following comment:

“Isn’t is weird that read and lead rhyme, but so do read and lead?”

I heard:

“Isn’t it weird that reed and LEED rhyme, but so do red and led?”

I was stuck in a trapezoid and couldn’t even see his box, so it took a family effort for the two of us to see (really, spell) our miscommunication. I was painted as the odd-ball in that situation for immediately thinking low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and not a more common word….or as some pointed out, a word even, since I chose an acronym.

A few evenings later, Youngest Child was angrily voicing her distaste for the practice test that she would be taking the next morning.

“I don’t even know why we waste our time on mock tests.”

The suggestion was made by a parent that maybe the point was to practice mocking.

“I think you should answer all the questions with “I know you are, but what am I?” That is a good way to taunt people.”

Several other appropriate mock answers were given for examples, when Youngest Child said, very seriously, “No, Dad. That is not right. It is a M-A-C-H test.”

Over the loud laughter, Middle Son said, “Begin your testin…PUT YOUR PENCILS DOWN! Mach testing is over!”

I could only contribute, “I am pretty sure this is mock parenting.”

Husband retorted with, “You never told me we were MACH parenting. Why are the kids still here? Get out, children! GET OUT NOW!”

“Honey, you wasted years mocking our children and undermining their self-esteem. We can’t kick them out now.”

Middle Child responded with a mumbled, “I hate my life.” And Youngest Child wondered whether she was at all prepared for the test anymore if she couldn’t even get the zipline to go fast.

Related posts:

[Anne] Husband and I have a Special Way to Torment Our Kids
“Danger” Words Lurking in your Manuscript
First Fifty Words