Prompt: Write a story or a scene about someone inventing a new word—or, alternatively, giving an existing word a new meaning.
Story:
This is it. It's just me and that girl from Russia.
She needs to go down, hard. So hard that she couldn't even spell 'anemone' if it hit her in the face – which I bet would sting.
Sasha has been my nemesis since the nationwide competitions. Someone needs to take that Russian girl down. Today.
The Worldwide spelling bee competitions isn't something to be joked about. This is the big leagues and my aim is to win. That's it.
"Would Sasha and Samuel please come to the left side of the stage." Mr. Timothée, the judge representative from Europe spoke.
This is the day. This is my day to win one of these. I've read countless of books just to prepare for this day and the only thing that stands between me and that trophy is that little Russian girl.
I'm ready. Bring it on.
"Miss Sasha to the mic please" Ms. Sylvia, the judge from Asia ordered.
My heart is pounding right now. I hope they give the hard stuff to her.
"Miss Sasha" Ms. Sylvia continued.
"Yes." There she goes again, with her thick Russian accent of hers. What a loser.
"The word is 'milquetoast'."
What?! That's way too easy! Even I know that, pffshhh!
"Can I get the origin of the word please?" I rolled my eyes at her. Anyone can spell milk toast! Even I can do it in my sleep.
"Americanism; after Caspar Milquetoast, a character in The Timid Soul, comic strip by H. T. Webster (1885-1952), who is an American cartoonist" Mr. Jake, the official reader of definitions and origins in this year's worldwide spelling bee competition spoke.
"Uhm, can I get the definition please?" Wait, what? Is it not 'milk toast'?
"Uh, 'milquetoast'. A timid, unassertive, or apologetic person." My eyes widen. I was way off with the word. Perhaps asking for the definition was the right move. But still, it's not that hard of a word to spell.
"And as used in a sentence: In Florida, our plants and our weather are boisterously confrontational, but the seasonal changes are milquetoasts." He continued.
"Milquetoast. M-I-L......" Sasha pauses, clearly thinking of the next letter which is the tricky part.
Please be wrong please be wrong please be wrong.
"Q-U-E-T-O-A-S-T. Milquetoast" She got it.
"That is correct." Yes, we know Ms. Sylvia.
"Mr. Samuel to the mic please" Here we go. It looks like we're going to need another round for me to win this.
"The word is 'straydandybole'." Mr. Thompson, the representative from Britain spoke. I'm sorry what? My heart pounded harder. What did he just say?
"Can you repeat the word please?" I asked.
"Straydandybole" Mr. Thompson answered.
"C-c-can I g-get the origin of the word please?" My hands are shaking. Why don't I know this word?
"Canadian; Created by the comedian actor Jim Carrey at November 2017 in a skit on SNL" Mr. Jake answered.
Are you kidding me? Was that ever used in a book before?
"C-can I get t-t-the definition p-please?" My voice more unsteady than ever. I suddenly don't feel so good.
"To frolic or to run happily on a field of dandelions without clothing." The room chuckles but me.
"S-straydandybole? Uh. S-T-R-A-Y..." Long story short, I cried all the way home and Sasha took home the trophy. Sometimes spelling it as it sounds isn't always the safe route. How was I supposed to know that 'bole' was spelled B-O-L-E and not B-O-W-L?
I should've watched more TV.
YOU ARE READING
Prompted Shorties
General FictionThese are stories that I make with a pre-made prompt for me. I try to limit it to 500 words or less but most of the time I get carried away. I hope you enjoy and I'll try to keep adding new ones whenever I get the chance to revisit the site.
