Word Play

The Washington Post's Style Invitational asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are some recent winners:

Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the reader who doesn't get it.

Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very high.

Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of obtaining sex.

Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously.

Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease.

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.

Glibido: All talk and no action.

Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a refund from the IRS, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

And, best of all... Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

That last one has become a fixed part of my vocabulary :)

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2001

Answers

Right now, intaxiation is my favorite. We have mixed feelings--we had to pay a little to the IRS but state is giving us a $450 refund.

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2001

Or is that a refind?

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2001

LOL! Yes, a "refind."

I like TOURON (tourist + Moron)

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001

Sorry, Git, but reintarnation was the clear winner for me. Ignoranus was a very close second, however.

Dan V.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001