Neologism

Neologism is my favorite new word. It means new word. Or more derogatorily, made-up word. In the universe of parenting, we strive to promote this activity whenever possible, as it keeps us entertained.

Many neologistic words are adopted by the family and are used well after the inventor as adopted the 'proper' word.

Example. I go to the Airplane port. And have for years. Ellie, however, now goes to the "It's an airport, Mama."

At night, I help put her into her Dress-nite nite, that she now calls her pajamas. But that is still a cute word, so I won't complain too loudly.

My worldly child has also learned that the third toe does not represent the piggy that gets tofu, but it is in fact roast beef. While not a neologism, but rather a fabrication on the part of a vegetarian mother, it is still a sign of things to come.

Malaprops are also the backbone of age 5. Today in Phoenix's class, the teacher was asking what you put at the end of a sentence. A little boy, we'll call him Sven, there aren't enough Sven's in the world, raised his hand and said, 'Pyramids!'

Close.

Phoenix asked his mom if it were opossums??

Another question was where wood comes from? One girl said her mother's boy friend. Another kid said, "What about God?"

Pyramids, 'Possums, Boyfriends and God...