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And of course, Caterpickles’ very own Official Junior Photojournalist: The Five-Year-Old Howell
Tag Archives: words
Classic Caterpickles: “Why isn’t the laundromat a real mat for laundry?”
It’s summer, I have The Five-Year-Old to myself, and I’m taking full advantage of it. Today I’m running another Classic Caterpickle — a blatant attempt to give myself a day off by rerunning a year-old Caterpickle that I hope you’ll … Continue reading
Posted in Ask the iPhone, Linguistics
Tagged Laundry, Self-service laundry, Vending, Washing machine, words, WordWorld
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When in denial, beware the jellyfish
Grandpa: “Many people just stick their head in the sand and just don’t want to know things.” The Four-Year-Old, aghast: “Stick your head in the sand! Ick! You might get a jellyfish up your nose!” Related Articles: “So, where do … Continue reading
“What’s the word that means ‘careful’ that starts with ‘reck’?”
As part of their Chinese New Year celebration last week, The Four-Year-Old’s preschool handed out little cards that explained the various signs of the Chinese zodiac. This was the first time The Four-Year-Old had been told that she was born … Continue reading
Posted in Ask the iPhone, Linguistics
Tagged archaic English, Chinese zodiac, Golden Pigs, words
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“Why is it called that?” Caterpickles consults the OED
Lately, The Four-Year-Old has become extremely interested in the origins of words. Questions like “why are grouches called grouches?” and “how did goosebumps get their name?” abound. Naturally, these questions are coming at a time when Wikipedia’s English-language site has … Continue reading
In which The Four-Year-Old dips into phrenology
The Four-Year-Old, surveying the world from her car seat: “Mommyo, why are some trees called evergreens?” Mommyo: “Because they keep their leaves all year round and are always and forever green.” Caught up in the excitement of knowing the answer … Continue reading
Book Review: Pooh Invents a New Game
Pooh Invents a New Game By A. A. Milne Illustrated by E. H. Shepard Dutton’s Children’s Books Age Range: 4 and up Not much time to write a proper review, because as I type it’s almost storytime and I need … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews: Books
Tagged books, children's books, Children's literature, E. H. Shepard, Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh, words
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In which The Four-Year-Old answers her own question, sort of
The Four-Year-Old: Mommyo, I have both a question and an answer. Mommyo: OK. The Four-Year-Old: The question is, when did you get that bear poster? Mommyo: And the answer? The Four-Year-Old: The answer is (dramatic pause) I don’t know!
Reason #1408 why I watch TV with my child: “What’s a rehorsalpig?”
One day as we were driving past the Once-ler Factory on Pleasant Street, The Four-Year-Old asked: “What’s a rehorsalpig?” Mother, shamelessly buying herself time: “I don’t know. What is it?” The Four-Year-Old, irritably: “I don’t know. That’s why I asked.” … Continue reading
“So, where do we get to go, Mommyo?”
The Four-Year-Old, as the cop walks away from the car after giving her mother a ticket for an illegal right turn: “Where do we get to go now, Mommyo?” Mother: “What do you mean?” The Four-Year-Old: “What’s the ticket to? … Continue reading
Michael Howell
Shala Howell
