Friday 55 & Da Count-Words

FRIDAY 55
Speak these words instead of reading them.
Ignore meanings.

bubbles nipples sparkle purple giggle
noodle google sizzle skittles poodle
percolator glockenspiel linoleum unibrow refrigerator
guacamole microwave smidgen doughnuts hallelujah
gorilla monkey moose kiwi chinchilla
spongy crunchy smooth bouncy slushy
toaster butter fig cheesy coffee
pants beans goose five fruit shrubs

How did they feel or sound?

DA COUNT

Words are really rather amazing things when you think about it. They are a few squiggly symbols on a page or screen or maybe a wall. They are combinations of sounds produced by our lips, teeth, tongue, and larynx as air moves across and is shaped by each of those structures. How many millions of words exist with an agreed upon meaning in the thousands of languages and dialects which exist on this planet?

From the ancient symbols carefully etched into mud tablets or carved into stone to the countless billions that fly through our computers and travel all around the globe in moments with barely a thought given to them, words are powerful tools in the hands of those who use them. From babies' first babbled syllables to carefully crafted speeches of respected orators words have the power to affect the listeners deeply.

Words are a resource that are constantly renewable and yet they can be used judiciously or wastefully. People can sustain themselves materially when they are skilled at weaving their words into something people are willing to pay to read. Others can sustain their spirits through the enjoyment of a poetic word.

Words may wound or they may heal. They may punish or they may reward. They may bless or they may curse.

This week I had two specific experiences with words which juxtaposed the lightness with the weight of words. First, I had to choose my own words with exceeding care in order to express my extreme displeasure with the incident I mentioned last week. I went so far as to ask a few objective people for feedback to make sure my words were firm but not inflammatory. It weighed on me greatly. Second, Isaac and I share a love for words. He started a "favorite word list" and printed it out some time ago. His criteria for inclusion on the list comes down to two things. The word either has to sound fun or it has to feel good when he rolls it around in his mouth or lets it finally trip off his tongue. He lost his list but was elated when we rediscovered it. We had fun giggling over the contents. It was the perfectly silly and entirely pleasant counterpoint to the first task. And yes, my Friday 55 is from Isaac's list.

Consider the impact of your words.

Now tell me what words you'd add to Isaac's list.

My favorite word for sheer mouth fun and ear pleasure: tintinnabulation