Here is the idea of the next couples, the last fun activity for a ritual of celebration of the marriage that has returned, the dinner. It’s called the squeaky word party and it requires a bit of explaining. Shrill words aren’t necessarily descriptions of ways to make your partner feel more appreciated, although that could be one of many uses for them. Squeasel words are a combination of two words to create an entirely new word, while condensing and amplifying the meaning of the two original words at the same time. Chillaxin’ is one of those mentioned above and is, of course, a combination of chills and relaxation. The title of this article should be self-explanatory, and I’ll leave it at that, as my editor may have trouble with an open-ended first-word description. Suffice it to say that the first word described what we had collectively been doing at our jobs all day, the second described the atmosphere around the terrace that evening, as the coals glowed on the grill, the wine coolers dripped with sweat, and the steaks stir fry
Couples can’t help but have a good time at a squeaky-word party. It’s exactly what it says on the tin, a dinner party with friends, during which the goal is to create as many squeals as possible and keep the creative juices flowing along with good food and good humor. No more Twister or Trivial Pursuit. It’s time to add as many new words and explanations as possible to the old Funk & Wagnalls. In addition to the two squeaky words listed above, here’s what produced our last meeting with friends. Some of these are almost painfully banal, others, we thought, were inspired and elegant.
As the nibbles arrived and praise was shared with the chef, we started to praise, then dip (of course), then move on to gulping and, for the, ahem, more relaxed among us, a bit of beer burp, naturally. I should mention at this point that it may be wise to leave the children at a neighbor’s house for the duration. Squeasels aren’t necessarily rude and/or vulgar, but as their little party progresses, and certain people get involved in more and more drinks, they tend to gravitate towards more, shall we say, colorful verbal inventions. Call it crude dubbing, or possibly slapping, depending on whether or not one’s partner is within earshot.
The conversation turned to offices and careers, and rumors of intrigue that soon turned to intrigue. Facial wrinkles due to long hours became lines of work. The need to do the right thing in order to keep the job, while putting in more and more hours, left some of us feeling overwhelmed. Inevitably, someone mentioned a modern day controversy, the office romance. The reference was to an attractive young understudy referred to simply as, what else, the tempt of the office. Our hostess could have had her apron printed and sold in quantity after one of our more creative guests squealed that she was so damn roasted. Clearly, swigulping had taken its toll.
Steaks finished their charflips, beers topped off or ‘frothed’ and platters produced. After a while the squeaks stopped, or I could say, squeaked for a while. Not content with the limited squeaks created so far, we tried to outdo each other in various current events. I do not apologize for the result, nor do I attribute authorship, wishing to retain at least a semblance of dignity.
Lance Armstrong’s latest attempt at the Tour de France was lanky Texans’ attempt to recycle himself, a libertarian party insider wanted President Obama to apply the tax brakes, and for health care town hall meetings, and his somewhat deceitful tactics, the screeching was mediscare. . None of us wanted to get caught up in an insurance mix-up, or we could get a bad bill, and have to pray that we don’t get misdiagnosed and end up with a dead ductable. Nobody needs that.
So print out the invitations, work your way into the Etymology Hall of Fame, and have fun doing it. One last piece of advice: I think the designated driver is a good idea, especially after a screeching party. As they say, never drink and get carried away.