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 of the winners:
Bozone (n.) The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
Cashtration (n.) The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.
Giraffiti (n.) Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
Sarchasm (n.) The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn’t get it.
Inoculatte (v.) To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
Hipatitis (n.) Terminal coolness.
Karmageddon (n.) 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.
Decafalon (n.) The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
Dopeler effect (n.) The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
Arachnoleptic fit (n.) The frantic dance performed just after you’ve accidentally walked through a spider web.
Caterpallor (n.) The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you’re eating.