IF I HAVE A CABOODLE THEN WHERE'S MY KIT
By: Angelica Hart and Zi
November 10, 2009
Angelica likes how words fill her mouth, the roll of them on her tongue, and sometimes, she just thinks cause it sounds right, it fits and it would take a hypnotist to convince her differently, even at that she might not concede. This leads me to the point, we wordsmith often within our stories, working under the philosophy that if the new word aptly and efficiently communicates the point we intended then it is the perfect word to use. The process makes for moments that are enjoyable. We are word lovers and as amateur lexicographers we play with meaning and nuance of words constantly. To roll out an example, we have used words like lamestorming, typonesse, well embrowed, and don't stopportunities. Here is a sample of how this point plays:
(While Zi was writing this piece Angelica entered the office, craned her neck to see the screen... He toggled to Minesweeper knowing this would torment her)
A: Are you writing about me? (She bounces a soccer ball off the back of his orange rocking chair and catches it)
Z: Yes. (Notices the soccer ball) You been balling? (One corner of his mouth and one eyebrow rises in unison considering innuendo)
A: Practicing headers with Mo. (She points to the yellow Lab who is asleep and snoring) Watch. (She bounces the ball off of the head of the un-phased cur and catches it) See, he's good. Taught him. (Her pride evident)
Z: Finnne... but I taught him to play dead.
A: Watcha writing about me? (She toggles back to Word and tries to position herself to see the screen)
Z: Nudgy are we?
A: Was inoculated at age four for nudgy-streptococcus. (She spins the ball on her finger as if disinterested even as she looks past the ball and speed-reads)
Z: Stripped a what?
A: Don't change the subject. Whatja write?
Z: Insecure? Huh?
A: Does a bear use a toilet in the woods?
Z: Ahhh, classic avoidance... Yes... I see the carnivorous sensibility eating virus of apprehension. (He sniggers at his clever word usage) Why, yes, I'm writing about you.
A: If it's good continue, if not continue... I know how to edit. So what is it?
Z: It's about the caboodle.
A: Ah, you read my latest iteration of Pawn Poke'er. It was the perfect word for the sentence. (Her voice had a tad of smugness to it as she rolled the ball into the corner)
Z: Angelica… it didn’t make sense. There is no such thing as a caboodle. You need to delete it.
A: Yes there is. Googled it. It means everything. Example… (Writes in the air with her finger.) Let’s take the whole caboodle with us. It is U.S. slang. (She does the James Cagney soft shoe ta-da step from Yankee Doodle Dandy)
Z: (Gives that lifted eyebrow that questions sanity) I know that... but...
A: Then I’ve made my point, perfect for the sentence. (She interrupts with the ease of a fork through milk toast)
Z: No… No… No…
A: Yes… Yes… Yes…. (She loves the fencing and would have retorted, "Take that picket... and that stockade!" but Zi's parry silences her)
Z: You used it wrongly, didn’t you?
A: (Grins) Nope... Nope... Nope!
Z: (Pulls up the word document, points indicating the sentence and shakes his head) There’s no kit.
A: Sooo...
Z: I understand kit. There's a first aid kit. You need kit in it. You need kit to have it. There's a kit car. You need kit to make it work otherwise it makes no sense. Remember our press kit? Kit... Kat? A beaver's baby is a kit. Your caboodle needs a kit. Hook the kit up with the caboodle. (His chin juts out in a decisive manner as if the Mighty Oz was saying... I have spoken) You simply can’t use the caboodle without the kit.
A: Who died and made you the kit police?
Z: Ha ha. Have you heard about the man with five penises?
A: What!!?
Z: His underwear fits him like a glove. (Using his best Ace Ventura voice)
A: Ah, glove... You're throwing down the gauntlet. I shall pick it up, slap you on each cheek with these two words... No kit!
Z: (Pulls his official Star Wars lightsaber off the shelf, makes a vvvvvvvv sound as if it's lit, couldn't be, he hadn't replaced the batteries... He takes a combative stance) You need the kit. Kit... Kit... Kit... 'carson it is required to express the point.
A: (Looks at him and shakes her head) You are a strange man.
Z: I'm rubber and you're glue... whatever you say... bounces off me... and sticks to you. (He had the naa-naa look which he had perfected)
A: I'll prove my point. Google it.
Z: (After a few minutes doing the research he turns and reiterates) Just as I said. Nice word usage. Kudos.
Just goes to show you being passionate about a word is like a spider’s web, it makes for a sticky situation. What do you think, can caboodle be used without the word kit? Should caboodle be used at all in a serious sentence? Should Zi just let Angelica always have her way? Angelica thinks so, don’t you?
Z: Excuse me… you need to delete those last two questions.
A: Here we go again. (She grabs the soccer ball and tosses it at him... he catches it... she runs... he chases... the dogs follow... barking... lunging... flapping tongue... and so the whole kit and caboodle of them raced from room to room screaming and barking)
We love to hear from anyone interested in what we do. Anyone who emails us at angelicahartandzi@yahoo.com and leaves an s-mail address, we will send you a gift and add you to any future mailings.
Angelica Hart and Zi
Killer Dolls ~ September 2009
Snake Dance ~ February 2010
Champagne Books
angelicahartandzi.com
KILLER DOLLS IS AVAILABLE: Unaware that bio-terrorists are using her handcrafted dolls to attack the innocent, Letti Noel finds herself falling for Taut Johnson, an undercover FBI agent. Even as deceit is a growing barrier to their love, it's the stalking terrorists that are a threat to their lives.
14 comments:
I believe that I am the total freak here. Most book addicts and writers are passionate about words. I think I am the only one of my kind who isn't. Could be why I tolerate authors like Stephenie Meyer. ;)
I am passionate about the story. That's all I care about. I also believe you can be a good writer and not a good storyteller. Again, Meyer sort of proved the opposite is true. Sorry to pick on that author because there are more. She just happens to be a very popular, more well known one. Plus, I think her Twilight series was the most passionate of stories.
Great post..... and yes, in answer to the question, you can use caboodle without the kit. :)
My fav today though was "don't stopportunities"
I am sooooooo going to use that in a sentence today!
JKaye, I think I am like you. If the story doesn't work, it does not matter how well the words are put together. You forgot the group of writers that can do both....those people....aye, heavenly!
LOL "His underwear fits him like a glove"
I really would love to hear this in person.
J. Kaye~ I nearly put down a book this week due to spelling mistakes. :) They were true typos and the book was good otherwise, but yuck. I totally agree with the Stephenie Myers comment. And yes, I think we tend to use her as an example, only because she is such a popular author. Writing quality, eh. Story, wow.
You are right, there are WAY WAY worse, but no one has heard of them because they are crap in both areas! :)
Definitely got to use it as "the whole kit and caboodle." My poppy told me that one and I'm not arguing with him LOL
Hey there! I like caboodle! But I am still trying to figure out "carnivorous sensibility eating virus of apprehension" - I'm sure it means something I should recognize. I'll probably get it in the middle of the night!
I love word games! That is one reason you book and posts make me chuckle!! But I will agree with J. Kaye and the others - you have to have a story! Sometimes you have a romance story with lyrical writing... that is good. Or crisp writing might fit the more suspenseful story. But I can surely appreciate a good story with fun word twists! That's sort of like having the caboodle!:)
Thanks for the fun word play!
J. Kaye, I think most readers want the story, the passion, the heart-racing, the giggle, the gasp, and the word passion revolves around finding that perfect sentiment, perfect flow of sylables to put the reader right there, at the moment, however, if they stumble over the word, if it stops the flow of the story, then the magical spell has been broken, and all the Kings Horses and all the Kings Men can't put the interest back again. Z: Ang took a serious pill today. A: (Tilts her chin up proudly) I am just being passionate about our craft. After all I am a professional. Z: (Checks out her duck slippers and bunny ears left over from Halloween) And have the look to go with it. A: That's right! (Oblivious)
Sheila, hey, hey, thanks for your great response. Let us know the response you get when using our unique word.
Also, we'd like you to be the first to know that Zi is working on a new book THE LEXICOGRAPHER AND HIS WORDS. It is a book of well-thought out made-up words that should be in the "real" dictionary but somehow never made it. The book is laid out in this fashion...
Toot-a-hol-ick-me-ter –
–noun
definer of petard, a sensitive nose
Origin
2003 (see doghouse after extra hot chili) + (Toot and Mo)
Zionary.com unabridged
HODGEPODGESPV, Oh yes, that is what every writer strives to do, but on a good day, when the sun is nestled perfectly in the sky, and all the planets are aligned, and double-rainbows appear, many manage just that. A: Hmmm, or maybe its just talent. Z: Nay... has to be magic. A: Yup... magic... sounds good. Z: (Whispers) And a whole tonage of hard work! A: Speaking of writing, did you know that in English, a double negative forms a positive. In some languages, though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative. Z: Yeah, right.
Jenn,
Funny thing about underwear… Did you know that married men change theirs twice as often as single men? That the loincloth was probably the first undergarment worn by human beings? That the thong first worn in Brazil as a swimsuit style back in 1980 is now one of the fastest selling styles? That the average woman wears a larger bra size 36C now than in 1991 34B? Finally, that August 5 is National Underwear Day? A: And we wrote about underwear, why? Z: Testing out the response. Thinking about making it a blog. A: No. Z: Think of the potential… We write romance. Characters need underwear. A: Do I get to go to Victoria Secret? Z: (Big grin) Field trip!
Teddyree, Then we're not arguing with your Poppy. We honor all the Poppies of the world, for they are the lovebugs of life. Now, we must share this sentiment from Ang's neighbor's young daughter about her Poppy...
Poppy is so very special from his head to his toes
He knows my fav ice cream and buys me bows
Every day he calls us up and we chat
He even showed me how to use a ball and bat
I love my Poppy and will today and ever more
This poem must end so he can take me to the store
You gotta adore the world through a child's eyes.
Well, MarthaE, We're certainly not going to ruin your fun and tell you what "carnivorous sensibility eating virus of apprehension" means. And, yes, word games and twisters are so fun, we say that with all due respect to the fact that us writers it is a given. Shh, don't tell but for fun one of us fuddles around with pig-Latin... Can you translate?
oDay Angelicayay andyay iZay ickletay youryay unnyfay ibray?
Betcha can!
Hey Angelica and Zi - that would be a great book! Sounds like my Thursday meme on Word verification Balderdash.... I do love a play on words. :)
Awww that's just so sweet and the the Poppy love poem was adorable.
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