Translating the Vocabulary of the Boys
The boys have come up with many unique words or phrases for expressing what they’re talking about. I really think I could create a short dictionary for the exclusive use of aiding people who are attempting to interpret what the boys are saying. However, before I go all Noah Webster on this, I want to run some of these by my loyal readers.
I’ll give you the boys’ word or phrase, the part of speech, the definition, and the synonym most of the English speaking world would recognize. Without further ado, let’s give it a go.
Flower bucket
Noun
A decorative container, often of glass, used for holding flowers
Synonym: Vase
“I know what I want to get mom for Mother’s Day - a flower bucket.”
Non-liquid salsa
Noun
A Mexican side-dish made with chopped tomato, onion, peppers, salt, and lime
Synonym: pico de gallo
Here’s a little side note on this one. Do you know what pico de gallo actually means? Rooster beak. Don’t worry, it doesn’t (and never did) contain any part of a rooster, but non-liquid salsa doesn’t sound quite so strange now does it?
Naken
Adjective
Without clothing
Synonym: Naked
“Look, Daddy, I’m going to take a bath so I naken.”
Naken-tractor
Noun
A semi tractor without a trailer attached
Synonym: Bobtail, tractor
Bird-chicken
Noun
Chicken that has been cooked on the grill
Synonym: Chicken
When I say we’re having chicken for dinner the 4-year-old wants to know, “is it bird-chicken or just chicken?” Because, when it’s cooked on the grill, that’s anything but just chicken. It’s bird-chicken.
Jammy towel
Noun
A robe typically worn before or after a bath
Synonym: Bathrobe
“It’s cold this morning so I put on my jammy towel.”
Minja
Noun
A person who excels in a particular capacity, especially martial arts.
Synonym: Ninja
This one is more than a mere word corruption. The evocative nature of a three foot tall kid posing in a fighting stance combined with the “Mih” sound so reminiscent of the word mini makes this an outstanding onomatopoeia creation.
Bumpy house
Noun
An inflatable structure designed for the jumping pleasure of children
Synonym: Bouncy castle, moon bounce
I think the 2-year-old has this one right. With five older brothers also using the moon bounce, he’s not so much bouncing in the inflatable house as he is getting bumped in it.