Word Fun

The best question with which to ponder what a verb - if that's what the word "is" is - is, is "Is 'Is 'is' really an action?' a valid question?".

Brian Stephens and John Wingert 1991

Timedrops

Timedrops on a butterplate
Filling fast our unseen fate
Later to refrigerate
Remaining in an unchanged state

Brian Stephens, 1995

Proprietary Eponyms

Here is a list of brand names that are so much associated with their corresponding products that we often refer to that product by the brand name instead. For example, have you ever heard anyone order a "rum and Pepsi", or even a "rum and soft drink"? And what kind of product is Velcro, anyway? If you can think of any more, please email us!

The list is in approximate order of prevalence of use compared to the actual term for the product. The brands are listed in lowercase to emphasize that they are used generically.

band-aid, jello, q-tips, velcro, dumpster, frisbee, yo-yo, bubble-wrap, styrofoam, plexiglas, popsicle, sterno, vise grip, vaseline, kleenex, chap stick, pop-tarts, scotch tape, tupperware, rolodex, formica, sheetrock, speedo, polaroid, magic marker, roller blades, windex, SOS pad/Brillo pad, saran wrap, tevas, ziploc bags, tiffany lamps, jacuzzi, white-out, coleman stove, dixie cups, clorox, raisinets, realtor, kool-aid, xerox, post-it notes, dockers, jeep, coke, fedex, hoover (UK)

I'm Right, Amn't I?

Why isn't there a word "amn't"? If you think that maybe it's just too hard to say, compare it to "isn't". They aren't too different. This non-use is so bad that we even substitute "aren't" where we know we should say "amn't" (see title of this section)!

Polystrophes

Don't you think we should use more contractions? And why not more than one at a time, while we're at it? I call a word with more than one apostrophe a polystrophe, pronounced ['pä-lE-"strOf]. I'm lazy, so the more letters I can exclude, the better! Some of these polystrophes are actually used in common speech, so why not write them, too? Others you'dn't've heard before, but it's about time.

wouldn't've     she'sn't        you'ven't       you'll've
couldn't've     I'mn't          I'ven't         it'll've
shouldn't've    he'sn't         we'ven't        she'll've
won't've        you'ren't                       he'll've
                it'sn't                         I'll've

I'dn't (I had not)              I'dn't've (I would not have)
he'dn't                         he'dn't've
she'dn't                        she'dn't've
you'dn't  			you'dn't've

Links

The official Merriam Webster site has their dictionary online.

The Word Detective has great explanations of the etymology of some common words and phrases.

Brain Food has lots of puzzles, some of which are word games.

Have fun with anagrams!