SEVENTEEN'S WISDOM

So, I'm telling my 17 y.o. son about a conversation I'd had with my boss about words.  She and a co-worker didn't know them, but a customer going through the aisles did.  This is surprising.

Now, the point of this story is to relate the mind of my 17 y.o.  That's all.  I just think he's funny.  He has a different take on life, that's for sure.  You'll see at the end.

Feeling superfluous, I was.  At my second job my hours were very flexible, and I was doing secondary work, so I was feeling superfluous.  Inquiring if boss lady knew the word, she did not.  Then something was said about my vocabulary so I wondered if she knew idiosyncrasy, "Traits of being an idiot?" she laughed with raised eyebrows.  "No, not at all," I laughed in response to this intelligent, friendly woman.

"It means characteristics that are particular or peculiar to a specific person."

"Ever hear the word 'prerogative'?" I asked.  "My mother used to say, "It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind" meaning it was her right because she's a woman.

Then we went on to discuss maudlin (sentimental, emotional) which the passing customer knew immediately and esoteric which a cashier threw out there (knowledge only a very few people know) and ergonomics.  We all know ergonomics, right?  which is the study of work efficiency?

So, here son and I are in the cool of the living room, with the first decent spring breeze fluttering through the green curtains and the 17 y.o. is relaxing in the russet recliner, and me telling him the story and asking, "You do know what uproarious means, don't you?"

He says, "Meaning to start a riot?"

Now, I'm rolling on the floor in my own riotous laughter.  "Sorry, dear, it means boisterous, loud, noisy."  Oh my, maybe I shouldn't have used the word boisterous.

Wondering who this unworldly boy has come in contact with lately, and knowing he's only ever had one job, he pronounces his edict on all peoples, especially the intelligence of those  in the work force, " Mom, sometimes out there in the world you'll find it's a miracle people even got a job."