Do inanimate objects attack you?

[Sequoia]

Well, guess what...there's a word for it: resistentialism in Paul Hellweg's Insomniac's Dictionary defines it as "seemingly spiteful behavior manifested by inanimate objects."

And I thought it was the "ghost"

I found this book, "What In The World - Wordplay, Word Lore, and Answers to Your Peskiest Questions About Language" by Charles Harrington Elsterat the libary and it is so cool!!!

It has all sorts of nifty things, and even word games. I recall a DU'r a few weeks back posting about this thing happening to him.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0156031973.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[Demeter]

1. Some Attack, Some Come When You Call Them

It's like animals, each having a unique personality.....

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. I remember an acronym, IPIO, for that phenomenon:

the Innate Perversity of Inanimate Objects.

[aquart]

3. Which is why I always try to speak sweetly to machines.

Still, my vacuum cleaner cord tried to murder me last week.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. My ex had a car that hated him.

It was a 1965 Ford Fairlane, and it was the most hostile vehicle I've ever known. It would deliberately lock him out of itself, and would refuse to start at the most inconvenient times. Occasionally it would adamantly refuse to shift out of second gear. We were sure we could hear it quietly laughing when it did those things.

[aquart]

7. Fords are mean sons of bitches.

My Mama won't ever have another one.

[Drum]

4. Thanks for this!

Some days, y'know? :shrug:
Glad to find others detect it as well.
Thanks for the tip on the books. You are wise indeed.

[Sequoia]

6. Thanks.

That's the 2nd compliment I've got to today. Someone at work told me I was too organized (heh, heh..he should see my whirlwind house!) I love word books.

[cobalt1999]

8. I'll have to use that

Next time I run my shins into the cedar chest at the foot of our bed while returning from the bathroom at night. It's better than calling myself an idiot for not learning after 1/2 dozen impacts to remember to walk around it. I can just blame the inanimate object!

[PADemD]

9. Read "The Nature of Things, The Secret Life of Inanimate

Objects" by Lyall Watson. Very enjoyable read.

[Sequoia]

10. Alrighty...thanks.

[PADemD]

11. Hope you enjoy the book.

From the jacket:

"We have all experienced those strange moments when things seem to take on lives of their own. Valued possessions return to their owners, houses greet us with a welcome or an unfriendly demeanor, lost items turn up in the most unlikely places, and computers misbehave. What exactly is going on? In his latest fascinating book, visionary biologist Lyall Watson asks some serious questions about such occurrences."

Lyall Watson has "doctorates in anthropology and ethology and additional degrees in botany, chemistry, geology, geography, marine biology, and ecology."

"Lyall Watson logically investigates illogical events."

He has worked with Desmond Morris, was Seychelles Commissioner on the International Whaling Commission, and was esponsible for the establishment of the Indian Ocean Sanctuary. He also speaks 9 languages and has written 25 books. Link to his web site below:

http://www.lyallwatson.com/New_Look/Home2.htm

[Sequoia]

12. Thanks for the link.

[CrispyQ]

13. I have his two books:

There is no Zoo in Zoology

&

Is There a Cow in Moscow?


They are both excellent & show how language is a living, evolving thing.

[Sequoia]

14. Whaddaya know, I have his Cow in Moscow too from years ago.

Didn't know it.

[CrispyQ]

15. I believe they have combined both books into this one:

"The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations: The Complete Opinionated Guide for the Careful Speaker"

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Beastly-Mispronunciations-Opinionated/dp/061842315X/sr=1-1/qid=1166028971/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-2338533-6255352?ie=UTF8&s=books

[Sequoia]

16. Thanks!

[izzie]

17. Yes cat fur. With 4 cats it has me pinned down.

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