Try this challenge on your friends. You'll be able to beat even the most verbal, literate, verbose people you know - if they don't know the secret.

THE HUNDRED WORD CHALLENGE

"Here's a word stunt that both children and adults enjoy;
Challenge your friend to, 'say as many words as you can - that do not contain the letter 'A' - in 60 seconds.'
Time them with your watch. They will be able to recite 20, 30, at the most 40 words.
Then it's your turn. Ask them to time you, and say: "One, two. three. four, five, six....." - keep counting as fast as you can. You will surely beat them, with about 100 words.
By the way; the first number you will come to with an 'A' in it is 'ONE THOUSAND'."

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David Fuhrer is an expert on 'talking backwards'. That is; he can instantly repeat a sentence pronouncing each word as if it was spelled in reverse.

This year I co-wrote a book with him that was published last month under the title 'Backwords'. It starts with a tutorial on learning this special skill, but then extends to trivia, games, riddles, and other wordplay. I even include a short essay on winning strategy for the game 'Hangman'.
The book includes a bonus DVD with David performing his backwards-talking skill.

We enjoyed exploring the world of wordplay while we wrote the manuscript. We're proud of the result - it's lots of fun.

It's available on a certain book sale website named after a large Mythological female warrior.

- Marvin Silbermintz

And thus ends the commercial portion of our program. We now return you to your regularly scheduled forums...

(I am going to try the 100 word challenge thing on my husband though...)

Marvin Silbermintz

One of Jay Leno's writers, welcome.

quote:

Originally posted by zmježd:
Marvin Silbermintz

One of Jay Leno's writers, welcome.

Not one to mintz words... welcome to the asylum.

I had heard of that strange phenomenon in another context - but had never thought of using it as a challenge. I foresee pints being won in the boozer!

And let me add my welcomes, too.

Not true in British English of course as for us the number after one hundred is one hundred AND one.

Also even in US English I make that twenty eight different WORDS before reaching "one thousand".

[QUOTE]

By the way; the first number you will come to with an 'A' in it is 'ONE THOUSAND'."

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I just did a quick survey. I wrote "101" on a piece of paper and asked what it was. 100% of responders (that is, both of them ) said "One hundred and one." I kinda think a larger sampling of public opinion would have similar results.

By the way, welcome!

Welcome, Marvin. I suspect there aren't too many female Marvins, but then I suppose I could be wrong.

Check your private messages.