Clear communication requires getting names of things right. When I get tired of serious topics during the morning, I switch my FM radio from NPR to the syndicated comedy Bob & Tom Show from Indianapolis. A few days ago, they were discussing how, when their co-host Tom Griswold, forgot the appropriate phrase, he just substituted another - like fun hut instead of bounce house. (Wikipedia describes it as an Inflatable Castle). There is a March 24, 2014 web page with examples of Tom Speak, like saying jousting stick instead of lance, or lump at the bottom of a blimp instead of gondola.
Often there really are different regional names in use, like that a submarine sandwich can be called a hero, grinder, wedge, or poor boy.
I also was reminded me of the old TV show Highway Patrol, which opens with the following narration (SNL parody terms added in italics):
“Whenever the laws of any state are broken, a duly authorized organization swings into action. It may be called the State Police, State Troopers, Militia, the Rangers, the Pigs, the Heat, the Klingons,… or the Highway Patrol. These are the stories of the men whose training, skill and courage have enforced and preserved our state laws.”
The image of a bounce house came from Wikimedia Commons.
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