October 2, 2004

There is this saying I remember from some English class I took a long time ago that goes something along the lines of Don't verb nouns. I thought it was really clever because the noun 'verb' is being used as a verb itself, in violation of this literary rule. (I don't even know if it is even really a rule. It may be have repealed. Maybe it's one of grammar's unwritten rules. Some English teacher help me out here.)

There's a lot of nouns that have a verb tense, such as bunt, water, hammer, an so on. There are many noun can be used in a similiar fashion. However, you can take this verbing of nouns to a whole new level by introducing proper nouns to the mix.

At the King's Club, some of the kids have been playing a bit of football this week. Moss is a very popular verb. It is derived from Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss, one of the most talented football players in the game. Actual lines of dialogue used by real kids this week:
'I can't guard Cal. He's going to Moss over me all day.'
'Did Sha'Ronda really Moss you yesterday? (response) She was Mossing everyone.'
'I'm going to be Mossing you on this play.'

I have actually used the verb tenses of 'Shaq' and 'Kurt Angle' (He was messing with me, so I Kurt Angled him) in conversations with youths and they understand what I mean. You should try it sometimes. Do not use the verb tense of R. Kelly.

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