R is for rebus.
I have to admit to an inordinate delight in word play. I blame my brain. It entertains itself by scrambling things. Not so helpful sometimes – I’m directionally dyslexic and can manage to get lost in my own neighborhood. But it’s an amusing asset when it comes to words – I’m an expert anagrammer.
My dreams speak to me in puns, I enjoy cryptic crosswords, I love secret codes, and I am most definitely a fan of the rebus.
For those who are a bit unclear, a rebus is a representation of a word or phrase by pictures or symbols that suggest the word or phrase or its syllables. A simple one would be:
And while technically a rebus should contain mostly pictures, it’s pretty common to find them nowadays composed of words that require a bit of thinking to decipher. So for example here’s the one I want to talk about today. Ignore the picture – it’s just me talking to the birds.
Did you figure it out? I’m thinking our friend Fool would appreciate it.
It’s ”try to understand metaphor.”
And it’s my attempt to return the joke my dream gave me last night. I was following Fool down a path in Ireland and just as we came near to the edge of a cliff, Fool transformed into a sponge lying at my feet.
I was totally perplexed and then I got it. a fool = loofa. Snort!
It did get me thinking though. Fool really IS a sponge is so many ways isn’t he? Open and ready to drink in all that is available.
What do you think? Enjoy rebuses? Ever dream about Fool? Like word play? What are you wanting to soak up right now? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
No, that’s not me… I like things black and white, no assumptions, no head games…
One of your beautiful gifts Evalina is your straightforward pragmatic approach to life. I love that in you.
I enjoy a good mystery from time to time–especially when it comes to word play! This is one of the reasons I love Shakespeare–his puns were unparallelled.
Oh yes indeed Shakespeare is a master! Thanks for stopping by Megan – I appreciate it.
Oh, yes! Anagrams, codes, rebuses–now that’s my kind of fun. Wordplay is so very satisfying, even when I get stumped. (So proud of myself for solving the second rebus without cheating!)
How cool that you dream in palindromes! I’ve never done that before–or at least not that I realized at the time. And, yes, you’re right, Fool is a sponge in many ways.
Great post. Glad I found your blog!
I’m delighted you found your way here Kern, and here’s to lots of fun wordplay.
Thanks Deborah, I love word play. I’ve been trying to make another word out of rebus and simply can’t ..
Good on a fool and loofa ..
No luck with anagramming rebus, but rebus magic morphs itself quite nicely into mirage cubs which makes me smile.
I like a good rebus. Word games are very good for keeping the mind healthy. Thanks for the challenge!
Glad you played along Janet.
Oh wow — you dream in puns? I worship at your mixed-up-left-right feet!
Here’s the rebus we used to sign in our middle school yearbooks, rendered here in text. Imagine the images for the words, then translate to your heart’s desire.
{eye} {car} {tears}
{eye} {car} {laughing face}
{eye} {car} {store sign}
my {car} {line graph}
Oh Ms. Harmony – you come right back here and explain yourself. Your middle school brain is clearly a lot smarter than my old gray cells because I have no idea what your rebus says.