If you are looking for a sophisticated, worldly article to read, this isn’t it. If, on the other hand, you are into reading something hokey and inane, this is the article for you. You know, the kind of prose that makes you wince and groan because of all the “corn”.

Words are a lot of fun. Manipulating the English language and its various word meanings is even more fun. Let your mind roam free (a scary thought in my case) finding playful ways to craft words into amusing stories.

I am fascinated with homographs (words that are spelled the same, and pronounced the same, but have different meanings). One word that comes to mind is the word "ear". Two examples of the word "ear" with different meanings are the "ears" of corn we eat, and the "ears" attached to our head, allowing us to hear the spoken word.

Even the word "corn" has a dual meaning. "Corn" can mean the yellow-kerneled vegetable we eat or a slang expression applied to any type of inane, silly prose such as this article.

As I get older, I’m not sure if my hearing is as acute as it used to be or if it has become more selective with time. This makes dinner conversation very interesting if not downright amusing at our house. While enjoying a plate of fresh-picked "corn"-on-the-cob this summer, my significant other and I were enjoying pleasant dinner conversation. He asked, half in jest, if he could nibble on my "ear". I thought he was referring to the extra "ear" of "corn" on my dinner plate, so I passed him the "corn". Corny (wince), but true.

Just be careful what you say ’cause the "corn" has "ears" (groan).

Copyright © 2005 by Pamela Beers. All rights reserved.

Pamela is a freelance writer, educator, and horse trainer who enjoys making people laugh. You can visit her website for writing tips, what’s new, and other interesting articles. http://www.pamelabeers.com