Monday, September 22, 2008

The "Miracle" of James Thurber

From "The Porcupines in the Artichokes" by James Thurber:

I myself have found, or rather my wife has found, that you can sometimes keep writers from fighting by getting them into some kind of pencil-and-paper games. You could say, for example, "There are thirty-seven given names and nicknames, male and female, in the word 'miracle.' I want you all to see how many you can find." This almost always takes up a good hour, during which the writers are mercifully silent.



M I R A C L E
Ali Alice Ami/Amie Ari
Cal Cari Carl Carlie Carmel Celia
Clair/Claire/Clare Clem
Earl Elam Eli Elia Elric Emil Eric Erica
Ima Ira
Lacie Lea Lear/Lir Li Liam Lira
Mac Macie Mali Marc Marcel Marcie Marie
Mel Mia Mic Mica Mila Mira
Rae Ric

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