The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out
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Before you go to my K word today, here’s something I found. I’m a researcher by nature, so when one of the blogger posted Hebbie-Jeebies as an H word, I had to find out where that came from. It was coined by a cartoonist named W.B. “Billy” DeBeck of Barney Google and Snuffy Smith fame. He came up with or popularized other long-lived words and phrases as well, including bodacious, my B word on this AtoZ luxury cruise. If you come across hotsy-totsy, hot mama or horsefeathers give credit to that cartoonist DeBeck. Now onto K.
Kaput
Well, you get the idea. These words stay a while in your mouth while their syllables roll around on your tongue. Kaput is a word that sounds like two strokes of an axe. It comes right to the point.
Two axe strokes. Very harsh.
What’s your K word?
Melissa Sugar says
I don't know my K words. Let's see- knuckleball and kidnappers.
Kaput does sound like two axe strokes. Kaleidoscope is a pretty word that evokes beautiful imagery and is fun to say.
Teresa Cypher says
I like phrase origins–and understand your need to dig for the information. Excellent find–and interesting. Your K words are good ones, and just plain fun to say. Funny—huh? Some words are fun to say; some words are fun to type. My mother used the word, "kaput" a lot. π Great "K" post, Lee!
michelle says
I always say that words are alive!!
Take kaput, for example, it's short, harsh and delivers a blow to the gut! The meaning is in the sound of the word!
Writer In Transit
Lynda R Young says
Kaput is a cool word.
Medeia Sharif says
It is a harsh word.
I love Carrie's word. Kaleidoscopes are cool.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee .. as Steve says .. I love kaleidoscopes .. but Kestrels, and kaput sometimes – the need to stop.
Cheers Hilary
Stephen Tremp says
We had hours of fun with kaleidoscopes as kids. Spirographs too. They came out of that psychodelic era now that I think of it.
Carrie Butler says
I love kaleidoscopes! Have you ever seen the virtual kaleidoscope? π
DMS says
Fun K words and excellent pictures! I find kaleidoscopes to be mesmerizing. π
~Jess
Michael Di Gesu says
Greatck words! That bird is gorgeous and I've always loved kaleidoscopes.
DL Hammons says
Kaput is an excellent word. I use it all the time! π
M Pax says
I still love kaliedescopes. There's something wondrous about them. Maybe because they're similar to telescopes. π
Cathrina Constantine says
I feel kaput right now…Good word.
Nick Wilford says
Kaput is a great word. Always found it quite comical.
Christine Rains says
My K word is kiss. Not quite as frightening as yours! π
The Golden Eagle says
I love kaleidoscopes! And kestrels are fascinating birds.
Kaput definitely gets straight to the meaning.
Samantha May says
Kaput is a good one!
I think my K word is Kappa, because I'm a Kappa Delta π
klahanie says
Hello human Lee,
O K, very good and kaput, you say? I like the letter "K", a "Special K", I send your way π
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!
Kelly Hashway says
Kaput definitely is a fun word.
elizabethwatgibson says
Like your kaput. It demands attention. "This town will be kaput unless you…" π
My word for the A to Z is kindness. But, I wanted to go with Kaneohe or Kailua my old haunts.
Bish Denham says
Kaput, sounds like someone spitting. How about Krakatoa?
J.L. Campbell says
I like hotsy-totsy (will have to look it up) and the kalanchoe – so pretty!
DEZMOND says
we do love kaleidoscopes (Even though they're tough to spell LOL)
S.K. Anthony says
I like the sound of Kaput. My kids have a couple of Mickey and Minnie Kaleidoscopes and they are cool, they are only 2yrs old so they call it Kai-yee-cop π
Susan Oloier says
Kestrel and kaleidoscope. Beautiful words and beautiful things.
lostinsidethecovers says
Kaput is a great word I don't use often enough! I had a hard time with K – probably because my brain is trying keel over and call it quits before the challenge ends! – that is my word right now, keel π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Man, do I hear you!
Beth says
I like the kaleidoscope picture!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Me too!
Catherine Stine says
The kaleidoscope image is very pretty. I love that word, because it also speaks to a pastiche, which feels like modern life to me.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Indeed it does a pastiche that is constantly changing and never the same. Lovely idea, Catherine.
Theresa Milstein says
Kaput, kalidescope, kestrel–all worthy options. I don't use kaput enough in my writing. I remember Kestrel bikes were the first ones with carbon fiber. Or the nicest ones.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh right! the Kestrel bike.I'd forgotten those.
Elizabeth Seckman says
Snuffy Smith deserves a statue!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I miss the old comics. They seemed more lively to me.
Angela Brown says
Kaput is one of those words that lets you know you've said every single letter. A very hard sounding word that refuses to be ignored.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're right, Angela. I hadn't thought about it that way!
Al Diaz says
Love the kaleidoscope image. I sincerely hope we are not kaput yet. π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Me too. Let's hope those asteroids take another route in the universe!
Nigel Mitchell says
Kaput always sounded German to me. "The Jews are kaput!" Kangaroo is a good k word
C. Lee McKenzie says
Very German. Very terminal sounding.
Amy Jarecki says
My K word today is Komondor. I'm blogging about dog breeds to celebrate the July release of my contemporary romance, Chihuahua Momma…I hope it won't go kaput right away π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for stopping by, Amy. I'll have to see your posts about the dog breeds. Sounds interesting.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Snuffy Smith? Wow, never would've know that was the source of those words.
We have kestrels and hawks here. Beautiful birds.
C. Lee McKenzie says
They are beautiful birds. We don't have kestrels, but lots of red tailed hawks circle, especially over the chickens. Yum.