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Summer Celebrations 2: Family Fun on Little-Known Holidays
July 22 — Spooner’s Day
It’s Spooner’s Day! Merd wanglers jeroice!
Say what?
For those of you who never trip over your tongue, I said, “Word manglers, rejoice!” Today is the day we remember the father of the spoonerism, William Spooner.
What’s a spoonerism, you ask? It’s the accidental switching of parts of two words, usually two words in a row. So, for instance, if you had a pair of binoculars in your hand and said you were going word botching, you’d be making a spoonerism. “Word botching” is, in fact, a good description of what the good Rev. Spooner excelled at.
Born in 1844, William Spooner was an Anglican priest who lectured at Oxford. During his 60-year stay, he rose through the ranks to become dean, and eventually, warden – or as we say, president. He was a brilliant man. So brilliant, his mind often raced far ahead of his tongue.
Many tips of the slongue, as it were, are attributed to him, some of which he may have actually said. Here are a few:
- “which of us has not felt in his heart a half-warmed fish?”
- “in a dark glassly”
- (at a wedding, he pronounced the couple) “loifully jawned”
- “The Lord is thy shoving leopard.”
- (to a school secretary) “Is the bean dizzy?”
- “It is now kisstomary to cuss the bride”
- (he lectured a student for) “fighting a liar in the quadrangle”
- (to a student) “You have hissed my mystery lectures. You have tasted a whole worm. You will leave Oxford on the next town drain.”
But those are probably all head-scratchers for your kids. I’ve provided a list
of easier ones you’re kids will better understand. Why not print them out and read them to your kids tonight? See if they can translate them. I also have a funny spoonerific
version of Cinderella by the great Colonel Stoopnagle for your family to enjoy.
And just for fun, try making up your own spoonerisms. Start with what you’re eating for dinner, or other objects around the room. It’s easy to do once you get started.
And don’t forget to wish the good Reverend a bappy hirthday! — Bruce Van Patter
Do you have thoughts, questions, advice on this topic? Post your stories and comments in the forum for other parents to respond to. Enter the forum now.
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