Welcome to The Week's "What Next?" contest, an invitation to test your powers of imagination with challenges inspired by current events.
Click here for results of last week's contest: Fish Dish
Results: In light of Aquafresh accusing Colgate of copying its “nurdle” (its iconic toothpaste curl), we asked you for the name of another everyday item or activity that didn’t have one. You contexted (to enter a contest, electronically):
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FIRST PRIZE: Mano-second: The amount of time men spend looking for a lost item before telling their wives they can’t find it.
Barbara James, Bedford, MA
SECOND PLACE: Obliviot: Moron completely unaware of his surroundings, e.g., a guy having a loud cell phone chat in a crowded elevator.
Steven Fidel Herraiz, San Francisco
THIRD PLACE: E-flex: The act of immediately checking one’s emails in response to the “ding” signaling their arrival.
Annemarie Christie, Charlotte, NC
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Jangle: The tune played when you are put on holdSagain.
Mike Kligerman, Mercersburg, PA
Toasticles: Little pieces of toast left behind in the butter tub.
Andrew Benjamin, Mt. Kisco, NY
Wal-Martian: Person who frequents discount stores.
Jason Norton, Corydon, IN
Decumulate: Oppose of accumulate.
Bob Marketos, Petaluma, CA
Milkochet: The ricochet effect of milk on cereal when it hits a large, horizontal flake and spews onto the counter.
Bobby Schackow, Gainesville, FL
Pornoflage: The various means by which people hide their dirty magazines and tapes.
Beth Simon, Oakland, CA
Magravators: The inserts in magazines that fall out and flutter around the room.
John Pluhowski, Nyack NY
Pedalones: Collection of socks missing their mates.
Jan Witbrodt, Greenville, MI
Soletrain: Piece of toilet paper clining to one’s shoe.
Edmund Conti, Raleigh, NC
Twilight Phone Zone: Where one’s cell phone messages are being kept until they are finally accessible, too late.
Jill Jessup, Grand Haven, MI
Excursionary Rule: The feeling that trip toward a destination is longer than the return trip.
Amy LeBlanc, Scott, LA
Dreality: A ridiculous notion that made so much sense in last night’s dream.
Joe Snyder, West Grove, PA
Barbieshackles: The ridiculously over-the-top tie-downs of wire and elastic securing kids toys to their packaging.
Allen Little, Portland, ME
Messadots: Small circles of paper created by using a 3-hole punch.
Roger Linville, St. Johns, FL
Weekling: A winning entry in The Week contest that is clearly inferior to one’s own.
Bill Dorner, Indianapolis
Magazine solutions - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Magazine printables - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
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