Messing About with Words

I have always found it fascinating to observe how people use words in their everyday conversations and interactions. Language, after all, is an essential part of our daily lives, shaping the way we communicate and connect with others. From an early age, I considered myself a bit of a “gramando”—someone who is quick to correct others when I thought their grammar, pronunciation, or even their choice of words was incorrect.

Over time, however, I came to realize that language is not fixed—it is constantly in flux and evolves based on location and context. For example, someone from New York will speak English differently than someone from Arkansas. This understanding made me reconsider my former approach and ultimately curbed my impulse to correct others during conversations.

Nevertheless, I still find myself quietly amused when I hear something unusual or creative in language use, though I now keep these thoughts to myself.

Discovering a “Scrabbleist”

Not long ago, I was chatting with a fellow walker at my local community center. During our conversation, she described herself as a “scrabbleist.” Curious, I asked her what she meant by the term. She explained that a scrabbleist is simply someone who plays Scrabble.

That evening, I began to reflect on her use of the word “scrabbleist.” I wondered why she chose “scrabbleist” instead of something like “scrabbleonian” or “scrabbletator.” This led me to consider how new words are formed and gradually become part of our vocabulary. Even though I could not find these words in any dictionary, I believe that, with time, such terms may eventually enter our everyday speech. Only time will tell how language continues to grow and adapt.