When we get together, it's usually a
blast. But there is always that one lagged moment where we start to
get just a weensy bit board, and then someone always says, “Luke
Skywalker's dad is a tuber!” And everyone who is in on that little
community joke is laughing hysterically, almost falling into the
fire, hot dogs falling off of sticks, beer being spilled. And there
is always some new guest who doesn't know why everyone just had a
humor conniption. Want in on the secret? It is Rhymie Stymie.
“I don't think I want that disease,
thank you,” was a response I heard once when I uttered those words
to someone. No, it is not a disease, it is a game. A very simple
game. A very simple game that will twist your mind into a slinky, if
you let it! It is also a wonderful way into the exciting world of my
next writer's post! Now, on to the sneak peeks!
Rhymie Stymie is a word game that can
be played by two or more people. As with any game, someone has to
start. That person, we will call them the “Stymie”, says two
words that must mean two other words that rhyme. Then everyone else,
they are the, yes, you guessed it, the “Rhymie(s)”, try to guess
what the two rhyming words are. The person that gets it first
becomes the new Stymie. Still confused? Maybe an example will help.
Let us say that I am the Stymie. I say to you, “cot butter.”
After scratching your head and scrunching up your face a bit, if you
are getting good at it, you would say, “OH! Bed spread!” You
would be correct of course. Still a little puzzling? Okay. How
about a couple more?
Stymie says, “jump lid.” Rhymie
says, “hop top.”
Stymie says, “jacket sleep.”
Rhymie says, “vest rest.”
Stymie says, “big boat.” Rhymie
says, “large barge.”
and on and on... So,.... If I, being
the Stymie said to your, Rhymies:
“Luke Skywalker's dad is a tuber!”
You would say?
Todays Color Is: Alliteration
To start off with, this isn't always easy... Sometimes, as a
writer, I realize I want to do something not humanly possible, and I
have to stretch my creativity over my skill level to mask the fact
that no, I haven't “got that down,... yet”. Alliteration is one
of those types of devils. Granted, I have a pretty good
understanding of it, but I just have never felt like I was anywhere
near “mastering” it. I found it “works” with some of my
humorous writing, and even some of my poetry,... But I feel my skill
level reaching its peak whenever I pass the three words mark. I can
only do two, and sometimes not even those effectively.
Heads up to those of you who still dare to continue; I have created
some audience participation in this article, so whenever you see the
{X}, do whatever is in place of the 'X'!
Alliteration,
for those not in the know, is when the letter or sounds those
letters make are also in the next word or words.
I had a friend who called them “front rhymes”. Classic
examples include, “She sells sea shells by the sea shore.” and
“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” Some
alliterations make it into the business world to, as in,
“Coca-Cola:”, “Dunkin' Donuts”, and “American Airlines.”
Even some names have alliterations! “Jesse Jackson” , “Rob
Roy”, and “Jake Gyllenhaal.” As you can see, alliterative
words do not have to start with the same letter, only have to have
the same first sound . Also to note are that simple prepositions and
pronouns do not alter the alliteration.
But
you don't see how it can use it in real
writing? Ever heard of a guy named Poe?
*“Once upon a midnight dreary while I pondered weak
and weary...”
And what about that Shakespeare fellow?
*”Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie …..”
Alliteration is a good tool to keep in your back
pocket. As a writer, it is always useful to expand your repertoire.
Alliteration is just another tool to fulfill your needs in getting
what is up there {point to your head}, and what is in here {point to
your heart}, through here {wiggle your fingers}, and out into the
worlds {say out-loud, “I AM A WRITER!}.
