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The Stale Invitational
The Dopeler Effect, and Other New Words

Back in 1998, the Washington Post’s Style Invitational column (1999 and older; current revival) column titled “The Stale Invitational” (July 12/Week 278, no longer on-line) asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. The winners were listed in Week 281 of the column.

[examples follow]

Sarchasm
The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the recipient who doesn’t get it.

Reintarnation
Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

Inoculatte
To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

Hipatitis
Terminal coolness.

Deifenestration
To throw all talk of God out the window.

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.

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Personally, I'm a big victim of the Dopeler effect.

[ March 19, 2004, 12:47 AM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]

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suckotash
A dish consisting of corn, lima beans and tofu.

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