People have a tendency to trust ‘true’ professionals when they give out advice. Financial professionals, doctors, lawyers – all are sought for trustworthy advice and people will listen, even when it seems farfetched. Then there are professions where the complete opposite occurs and people doubt every single word that comes out of the person’s mouth. Childcare providers, teachers, dry cleaners – people may ask a question but they are positive that they already know the answer because the internet told them something better. After 13 years in childcare, I was thrilled to move to a profession where people would heed my advice as accurate, even when far-fetched.
Writers know words that you could only dream of using correctly.
After over a year of writing for paying clients, I decided to test how far that trust in my profession stretched. I made up a word and convinced people it was a real thing. This was tricky because it needed to sound plausible and able to slip into natural conversation. I counted on people being unwilling to admit they didn’t know what the word meant, trusting I knew of what I spoke. The most important part was to use the word in such a way that the listener could determine a vague definition based on context.
Obviously I tested this out on friends and not paying clients – I need my snack money.
Behold, the magnificence of my new word. I am fully expecting that a few people may send me private messages of treachery and deception. I not only managed to convince three people the word was real, but one of them used it on their spouse and was not questioned. I’ve baked some apology cake if you want to stop by the house and tell me how duplicitous I am in person. Cake makes everything better.
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Love it! It may not be legitimate yet but give it a year and everyone will be using it x
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I think it will be in a dictionary one day!
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I have to say … this is a totally plausible word! In fact, I can’t believe it isn’t a word! It should be a word. I demand we all start using this word NOW!
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The number of people who have told me that they thought it sounded real is quite a confidence booster. Maybe I can petition to get it added to the dictionary if enough people start using it!
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You should start a hashtag haha! Very funny and just the sort of thing my husband would do – without the cake xx
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Cake is what makes it all better!
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That is malarpin’ hilarious! Another writer used a word in a comment on my blog that I thought was made up – doughty – but it turns out is a real word. I had to look it up!
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I love it!! It’s amazing how many words are out there that we never heard of!
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Here is a variation on your theme: your post is a waste of our time, indeed, but a lovely waste of time and we love it! #DreamTeam
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Yay! That was my goal when the blog started! A few minutes each day where your brain could enjoy a bit of fluff.
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This is hilarious – I invent new words all the time at home just for a laugh – in both English and Punjabi. Sometimes I let them in on it and sometimes I keep it going. #DreamTeam
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That is brilliant!
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I shall include it on my next spelling test! #dreamteam
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Maybe we can get this into a dictionary!
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I used to do this sort of thing when I was younger. Not sure I have the time these days. Language is an interesting one and the most obscure words and imagined ones can eventually end up in the dictionary. #DreamTeam
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I hope mine gets in one day!
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Hahaha well I hope we look back in a few years and it’s been added into the dictionary!! #dreamteam
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That’s a GREAT word!
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Thank you!
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I think we should start hash tagging it. It sounds perfectly acceptable to me. In fact I’m sure it’s a real word 🙂
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#dreamteam x
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It sounds completely real, almost fooled myself a few times!
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Love it! I am tempted to do the same just for the giggles.
#dreamteam
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It is very fun!
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Ha! Very good. I often find myself accepting a word based on context, though I do tend to look it up later. I find the breadth of my vocabulary embarrassing – so I’m interested in words that will better express my thoughts or opinions.
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I find myself looking up words often!
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Amazing – thats brilliant. I do love a good malarp! #DreamTeam
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It’s an enjoyable activity!
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Love it, it definitely needs to become a hashtag 😉
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Yes it does!
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Ahah that was a one-of-a-kind joke 😀 #DreamTeam
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Heather, I love it! I think you could actually get this one off the ground. Use it enough, and they’ll be adding it to the OED! Thanks for hosting #DreamTeam.
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I’ve submitted it to urban dictionary because that has the word dictionary in it and I think that totally counts!
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Thank you for teaching me a new word that I can add to my vocabulary #dreamteam
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It’s such a fun word to use!
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Let’s all make malarp hit the tipping point! Add it to our lexicon, nonchalantly…. I love this!
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#dreamteam xoxo
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I like it. I’m going to try and slip it into a conversation tomorrow and see how it goes #dreamteam
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I bet no one bats an eye. They’ll just assume what it means and look it up later!
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Cake does indeed make everything better #dreamteam
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This may just catch on #DreamTeam
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What a malarp! That’s priceless Heather. Only you could pull this off. But still…..off to trick Mr Button with this little gem, lets see if he falls for it hook, line and malarpy. Thanks for being a super #dreamteam host xx
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You nailed it! Malarpy indeed!!!
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All words have to originate somewhere! I like to malarp so will start using it! #dreamteam
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It’s such a fun word to use!
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I love this word! We should submit it to the Oxford Dictionary for consideration! #DreamTeam
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I *may* have already sent an email. No response yet 🤣
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Ha ha ha this is brilliant Heather !!! Now you’ve put the idea in my head though I really need to try out this fun game ! Congratulations someone loved this post so much they added it to the #blogcrush linky
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It’s a very enjoyable game!
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