Dope

The times, they are a changin'...

In my day--doesn't that just make the rocking chair squeak-- the word 'dope' either referred to a person who was not the sharpest card in the deck; or it was a slang word for illegal drugs and the person who used them: dope.
Oh, not so today.
Dope is a compliment.
You're dope if you knew that already.


A few weeks ago, while working at Curves, I was surfing the web for a yoga and pilates site for a member and came across a local establishment run by a beautiful woman. I was baffled and a wee bit put off by her email address which was "dope@_____". Fortunately, for me, the club member educated me immediately before I went on to make a fool of myself. And then Jon Stewart from "The Daily Show" used it last night in a commentary about Super Tuesday. Had I not known the new useage, I would have thought Mr. Stewart quite the dope for such an odd reference.

Much like when the word 'bomb' was used as an adjective to mean something really great, " That dinner was so tasty. You're the bomb!" Of course,most of us grew up with that word defining the explosive element to which it referred; but also, coming from ShowBiz, it meant a performance or a show that stank. " Her performance ran the gamut from A to B. In short, it bombed." Probably, even has a connection somewhere and somehow to "aBOMBinable."

Well, I may be a dope but I think the way the English language gets treated is abombinable. That's why I am known for making up my own words. Since we don't rely on the ones we already have, or polish up the antiquated chestnuts of yore, wy not make up one's own words? Here are a few of my personal favorites:

m'goof = mistake/goof
Phmoof = the full feeling after having stuffed oneself from a delicious meal
compatience = a rare combination of compassion and patience; usually necessary for self-care
shnoogle = the reallly cozy cuddling that takes place between two loved ones( can be with a human companion or furry, animal friend)

It would not surprise me to learn that many of my readers have some unique words they would like to share. If there are some idioms you wish to share or discuss; or you, too, have created some of your own vocabulary words, I would be interested to read them and encourage you to post a reply.

(nb: this is a public forum and I encourage you to be polite and positive in your responses, please).

Dope.
Might give new popularity to that goofy little dwarf after all.