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polistra's avatar

I've noticed that I can make up pretty good nonsense words spontaneously now that I'm old. I couldn't do it when I was younger, presumably because the brain's inhibition mechanisms are weaker now. Recently I recorded a mix of nonsense words and real words to illustrate a semantic response test in my speech and hearing courseware. The words simply popped out without any prompting!

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Ken Grace's avatar

Truly improtantaffinous!

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Hilary Taylor's avatar

Good read thanks Ken. I noticed kakistocracy on X & immediately thought of the Maori vernacular word..& speaking of PIEs I presume you've read the Listener piece on Spinney's book?

I once sang Dont Fence Me In in a chorus for a show about Bing Crosby...CP just a giant. Enjoyed the flick De-Lovely. I still recall being puzzled over the title of Begin the Beguine as a wean. And not just that...lyrics were often puzzling to children...mondegreens are fabulous.

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