Bubble and Billow, Woohoo and Yippee. Some words are just fun to say.

Bubbles, tiny bubbles!

Every language has fun little words. In English, there's "bubble." Just saying it brings a smile to your face, and memories of younger days to your mind. But, it's more than that. The word itself is fun. Not like "coal" or "garden." Fine words they are, but there is something special about "bubble." How about "billow" or shouts of acclimation such as "woohoo" or "yippee!" There's lots of others, but these four always bring a chuckle and a grin.

Language is an oddly comforting ability. On one hand it's a method of necessary communication, blunt and to the point, and on the other it's poetry and song. People can play language as if it were a fine instrument, plucking heartstrings as they tickle our ears. It's interesting how specific language, such as Eskimos having many words for "snow." Depending on the culture and environment, the language is fine tuned to fit the culture. After all, how important would words for waterfalls be in a place with nearly zero rain?

I think it's a real tragedy that most people have a fairly limited vocabulary. There are such wonderful words, with precise meanings and nuances. Using words effectively is like playing a symphony, picking and choosing the meanings you want with the barest essentials. One fun game to play is to pick an unusual word and inject it into casual conversation. Nothing like saying, "Well, for verisimilitude's sake, I'd do the opposite." Tee hee. Funny stuff.

- M