“Washingtonese”

In his book "Execution: the Discipline of Getting Things Done" Larry Bossidy has this to say about culture:

"Culture is the sum of shared values, beliefs and behaviors. It may come from training, experiences, what we have heard, and our perceptions."

Here is some Washington family culture. I call it “Washingtonese”. Simple phrases that we use around the house that distinguish us from all the rest of the cultures in the world.

1. “Steering to the moon” (One of my kids heard “staring out in space” and attempted using it. The context was correct, the syntax a bit misconstrued.)

2. “Hode Awn” (This is the phonetic spelling for the Ebonics phrase “Hold On”)

3. “Peanut” (This is Papa’s pet name for his kiddos. Variations exist i.e. Peanut-man, Peanut-butter, Peanut-head, and Peanut-soup)

4. “Hey!” (To be exclaimed after your plate of food is sneakily swiped by Papa)

5. Reprimands:
“Shut your mouth and eat” (Kind of an oxymoron, don’t you think?)
“When the lights go off the sound goes off too”

6. “Cellaphone” (Gabrielle’s term for Cell Phone)

7. “Another day in Bolivia” (You kind of have to see this one to understand it. Those that have visited us will get it.)

What is some family culture you cultivate in your “casa”?