# Word Associates **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 28, 2007, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023 "2007-11-28T13:58:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/1 "2007-11-28T13:58:43Z")
That’s _associates_, not _association_. I thought of this last night as I was trying to drift off to sleep. Of course, fleshing out the idea was not particularly conducive to attaining that goal, but my sleep deprivation is your challenge. It’s a very simple game. Pick a word, any word, but preferably one with multiple definitions and usages. Slang is okay. Now, think of some examples of different ways in which it is used and present them as clues for the next person, who must guess the single word that is associated with all clues, and then present his or her own set. For example, if I were to present you with: - Ability - Storage - A chorus line - Loss of employment - Buttocks You could answer “things Al Gore blames global warming on,” but you’d be wrong, because that’s more than one word – and anyway, I’m pretty sure Al does hold buttocks partly responsible. In this instance, that word is “can.” (Ability: I can do that; Storage: A can of peas; A chorus line: Dancing the Can-Can; Loss of employment: I got canned; Buttocks: Kicked me right in the can.) The number of clues will naturally depend on the word and how many you want to use, but there should be a minimum of three, just to keep it interesting. How you define “associated” is up to you, but the word should be as closely associated as possible without being an unrelated part of another word – so no “Weapon: Cannon” clues, but “Gasoline: Jerry can” is okay, as are the word forms that yours is the root of. (Canning, canned, cannery, etc.) Sound simple? Have at it! I’ll start. - Equipment - Sailboat - Tamper - Truck - Makeshift construct ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/2 "2007-11-28T14:20:07Z")
Junk? ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/3 "2007-11-28T14:33:58Z")
[QUOTE=Mindfield] Sound simple? Have at it! I’ll start. - Equipment - Sailboat - Tamper - Truck - Makeshift construct [/QUOTE] Rig? By the way, how do we get new challenges? Do I add one if I think I’ve got yours? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/4 "2007-11-28T14:44:45Z")
Go ahead! In the meantime, here’s one: Harbor Herb Hunting dog Horse ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/5 "2007-11-28T14:46:20Z")
[QUOTE=Bayard] Rig? [/quote] Correct! > [@Bayard](#): > > By the way, how do we get new challenges? Do I add one if I think I’ve got yours? Yes, feel free to add your own for the next person to solve. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/6 "2007-11-28T14:46:33Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] Go ahead! In the meantime, here’s one: Harbor Herb Hunting dog Horse [/QUOTE] Bay. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/7 "2007-11-28T14:52:05Z")
Hmmm. It’s tough coming up with clues. How about: Bee Time Magic Dizzy ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/8 "2007-11-28T14:53:59Z")
[QUOTE=Bayard] Hmmm. It’s tough coming up with clues. How about: Bee Time Magic Dizzy [/QUOTE] Spell ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/9 "2007-11-28T14:56:28Z")
Socks Light Dating Concentration ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/10 "2007-11-28T15:33:50Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] Socks Light Dating Concentration [/QUOTE] You’re making my brain hurt. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/11 "2007-11-28T15:36:32Z")
😃 It’s your damn game! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/12 "2007-11-28T15:42:38Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] Socks Light Dating Concentration [/QUOTE] Pairs? (Assuming “concentration” refers to the game, not the metal effort.) Not sure where light fits into that though, unless you’re referring obscurely to the double-slit experiment. Another easy one: - Collective - Water - Billiards - Supply ETA: No, it’s _my_ damn game. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/13 "2007-11-28T15:44:11Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] 😃 It’s your damn game! 😛 [/QUOTE] No it isn’t. **Mindfield** gets the blame for inflicting this on us. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/14 "2007-11-28T15:45:52Z")
[QUOTE=Mindfield] Pairs? (Assuming “concentration” refers to the game, not the metal effort.) Not sure where light fits into that though, unless you’re referring obscurely to the double-slit experiment. [/quote] Nope … but you’re on the right track. > [@Mindfield](#): > > ETA: No, it’s _my_ damn game. 😃 A thousand apologies, sir! ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/15 "2007-11-28T15:47:09Z")
[QUOTE=Mindfield] - Collective - Water - Billiards - Supply [/QUOTE] Pool. Since **twickster** got my last one in like a minute, I’ll try to be more obscure: dock fall mistake underwear pass ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/16 "2007-11-28T15:49:39Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] Nope … but you’re on the right track. [/QUOTE] I was thinking “match” for a while, but discounted it for some reason. Maybe I shouldn’t have? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/17 "2007-11-28T15:50:55Z")
[QUOTE=Bayard] Since **twickster** got my last one in like a minute, I’ll try to be more obscure: dock fall mistake underwear pass [/QUOTE] Dunno, but it gives me an idea: underwear seasons exact David Bowie ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/18 "2007-11-28T15:53:18Z")
[QUOTE=Bayard] I was thinking “match” for a while, but discounted it for some reason. Maybe I shouldn’t have? [/QUOTE] I’d be curious to know why you discounted it, she says elliptically. ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/19 "2007-11-28T15:53:37Z")
[QUOTE=Bayard] I was thinking “match” for a while, but discounted it for some reason. Maybe I shouldn’t have? [/QUOTE] That was my guess as well. ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023/20 "2007-11-28T15:57:03Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] Dunno, but it gives me an idea: underwear seasons exact David Bowie [/QUOTE] Ch-ch-ch-change. 🙂 Still working on the other one. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-associates/428023.md?page=2)