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The Slice: Another reason to switch to decaf

It seems some kids start using rough language early on.

Several of the stories readers shared about their children’s first words involved mispronunciations resulting in the unintentional utterance of unprintable expressions.

Hmmm. I know what you’re thinking. Maybe the boys and girls were simply repeating vulgar language they heard at home.

Maybe. But the parents in question offered plausible stories suggesting the youngsters were, in fact, trying to say words such as clock and coffee.

Puzzled about the latter example? Well, that kid transposed the consonant sounds and mushed up the first vowel.

Paul Mackey had a different sort of answer. He reported that his son PJ’s first words were Dad, Bud and Mom. “In that order.”

Bud is the family dog.

Mom gets reminded of this now and then.

“Slice reader Bonnie Alberts has a question: “Have you ever asked your readers about paranormal or psychic experiences with children or pets? I think the responses you would get would be very interesting.”

“Asked and answered: “I heard of a place called ‘extreme Eastern Washington’ on a local television weather report,” wrote Eric Rieckers. “Where is this place? The Idaho border?”

Eric, EEW is a cranky, troubled state of mind in which Seattle is demonized and a Spokane daily newspaper that endorsed George W. Bush is referred to as “Socialist.”

“Slow mulching: A couple of readers noted that those free, unsolicited “newspapers” that get tossed on lawns amount to litter. OK, fair point.

But really, now that the snow has retreated, how hard is it to throw them away? I counted seven – seven! – in one yard the other day. At some point, it seems like you would have to admit that the deterrent value of not picking them up is negligible. I mean, it would appear that the person delivering them isn’t getting the message.

I know. It’s the principle of the thing. You didn’t ask for those shoppers, so you refuse to dignify them by acknowledging their existence.

OK. Good luck mowing around them.

“Slice answer (mixed messages): When Cheryl Downie’s daughter Janel was quite young, one of the girl’s friends was angry at her and sent a note to make that clear.

“Dear Janel,

“I hate you.

“Love, April.”

“Today’s Slice question: How many people besides Slice reader Ray McDeid still use typewriters?

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