I remember hearing of an article in a scholarly journal about the difficulties computers would have recognizing speech. The article was entitled: "How to Recognize Speech, Not Wreck a Nice Beach."

And I remember reading in John Jacob Niles' Ballad Book of his informant who told him the King of Fence sent tenny balls (from a tenny tree, whatever that might be) instead of the King of France sending tennis balls. (See also Shakespeare's Henry V, Act I).

The mind's attempts to fill in lacunae create interesting turns of phrase.

--Charlie Baum