Words are interesting. At least many of them are. Some, anyway. Quite a few, actually. And it’s fun to have fun with them, if you know how.
Take, for example, the word “words.” If you read it forward, obviously the word is “words.” We all know that. But, if you read it backward, the word is “sdrow,” which is not an actual word as far as I know, although it should be. (I don’t know 100% why, because it is not exactly comfortable for your mouth to say, but if I had my way it would be a word. And it would mean “The pronunciation of a word that is not exactly comfortable for your mouth to say.”) And, getting back to my main point, if you mix up the letters in the words “words” you can make the word “sword,” which is really something. And, so, then, what I’m talking about is basic wordsplay, which is almost like swordplay, but very different and less pointy, although the two words contain the same letters. See?
They are called anagrams.
Others are “stop” and “pots.” And “smile” with “miles.” And “race” and “care.”
Also, “silent” and “listen.” (Those are good ones.)
I find that if I think of a word and write it down it allows me to see the letters in one way, in one order. Then I can rearrange the letters into another word – sometimes it comes to me right away and other times (smite) it takes (stake) some work. If you run into a problem, try to select (elects) one letter to begin (being) with and then build a word from (form) there (three) using the remaining letters (settler). I’m not sure (user) if every word can be used to create a different recognizable word, because I haven’t exactly tried (tired) them all…yet.
Can you think of any on your own? You can even challenge a friend to a game of wordsplay. But no teaching…I mean…no cheating.
