I’ve already mentioned the importance of taking the time to journal once in awhile so that a small part of your history will remain alive forever on a written page. It’s important, and I’ll keep saying it.

But sometimes, it’s important to have fun with words, too. With that in mind, I’d like to introduce you to a contest that the Washington Post conducts annually. It’s call the Annual Neologism Contest. Readers are encouraged to begin with a common word, but give it a new meaning. For example:

Coffee – The person upon whom one coughs.

Balderdash – A rapidly receding hairline.

Flabbergasted – Appalled over how much weight you have gained.

 Another portion of the contest, and my favorite, invites readers to again start with a common word, but this time add one letter, or take away one letter, or change one letter. Then supply a new definition. Some examples:

Giraffiti – Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

Karmageddon – It’s like when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it’s like, a serious bummer.

Decafalon – The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

If you’d like to see the entire list, go to Washington Post Annual Neologism Contest Winners. Enjoy.

And don’t forget, think seriously about writing something down, any little thing will do just fine. It doesn’t have to be clever, it just has to be about YOU.