"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone,
"it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice,
"whether you can make words mean so many different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty,
"which is to be master - - that's all."
"which is to be master - - that's all."
There was a cartoon this week. Humpty sitting on doctor's exam table. Doctor tells Humpty that he is in good health for his shape but advises not to do something like rock climbing. The punch line was something like, "Humpty, being a male, did not pay attention to the warning. Some times no matter what words are used, it really doesn't change the outcome! Have fun with Alice.
ReplyDeleteMy father used to make up words. All the time. My personal favourite was "stingle". Sort of a cross between sting and tingle.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I'd call him on it, he would simply grin and say, "well, you knew what I meant, didn't you?".