Todays Color Is: Alliteration & Rhymie Stymie

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!}.