When I was in school, I was kind of a “crammer.” You know…I’d wait until a few days before the test, try to jam everything I might possibly need to know into my brain, ace the test (this might or might not be an exaggeration), and then forget everything?

All this to say..I remember very few facts or formulas that we were taught in school. (Don’t ask me to list the state capitals, Presidents, or chemical elements. All those things went in one ear, hung out for awhile, but then flew out the other.)

But there is one formula I remember. And truth be known it has helped me out of a pinch or two.

I took this peer counseling class and they taught us a quick, but very helpful, formula for assertive communication (aka how to get your point across without offending friend and colleagues).

(click here to read more…)

"Backpack" or "Book bag"???

This confusing conversation got me thinking about how regionally people use different words to describe basic things. The most common would be the whole “soda”, “pop”, “Coke” thing. (Be sure to check out this map that spells out the most common name for soft drinks by county.) But here are some others that just make me giggle:

“Purses” – “Pocketbooks” – Or the correct term used by department store buyers around the world “Handbags”

“Sneakers” – “Tennis Shoes” – Or my favorite “Kicks”

“Mayonaise” – “Salad Dressing”

“Stuffing” – “Dressing”

And this one that always bothered me. A “Rehearsal Dinner” is called an “After Rehearsal Dinner” in parts of the South. I mean why do you have to clarify that the dinner is actually after the rehearsal? Have you ever been to a “Rehearsal Dinner” that is before the rehearsal? And you certainly don’t say a “Post-Wedding Reception.” Or maybe you do?

What other funny words have you heard to describe a familiar object?