Dooverlackie Poem

I grew up with adults who frequently made up names for items when they couldn't recall the official name of the said item. Colourful terms have arisen across time for naming these puzzling items. I use them myself, I must admit...

Do you hear adults using such words?

So, I share this poem, celebrating some of those colourful words.

Remember, sometimes poetry gets its spark from wordplay.

Dooverlackie

When my Dad fixes things

Around our house

He sometimes asks me to help

He calls me his apprentice

He calls me his fetcher

He calls himself Mr. Fixit

He asks me to pass him the things he needs

Pass me the dooverlackie

Says Dad

Dooverlackie?

Yes, beside the whatchamacallit

Watchamacallit?

Yes, under the thingamajig

Thingamajig?

That’s right, I need to unscrew the doodad on the gizmo

Oh…

So I hand him what I think might be the dooverlackie

And just hope I’m right

No, says Dad

That’s a…

That’s a dohickey

I only use that when I’m fixing a thingamadoodle

Dad ruffles my hair

And smiles.

Alan j Wright

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