“Whosis, Whatsis and Whatchamacallit”

ALERT: this story isn’t for everyone, just those in long term relationships, say 30, 40 or 50 years. However, you’re still welcome to read it…

“Honey, I’m home from, ah, whatchamacallits. Whosis was there, she’ll see us at, you know, whatsis place Saturday.”

“Okay!”

And with that exchange, we affirm our relationship is stronger than ever…again!

Do you recognize it? Sound familiar? I expect those of you in long term relationships are nodding in the affirmative.  You know each other so well that substitute words suffice in place of real words, the ones that escape us momentarily. Gibberish fills the void and, strangely enough, we understand each other. How does that work?

This behavior confirms my belief that as we grow older with our life partner, our spirits, habits and language meld, allowing us to behave almost as one. There must be a term for it?

With a certain bravado, I proffered this theory to my whosis, a nonbeliever of most of my ‘proffers’. Almost had her convinced until the suggestion that we’re even starting to look alike, the longer we’re together. With a stare that would stop a charging ‘whatchamacallit’ in its tracks, that notion destroyed whatever credibility I may have had with her.

You may disagree but think of your own situation. Do you finish each other’s sentences? Do you say something like, “honey, I know what you’re thinking”? Do you both start to express the same thought on cue? See, you’re coming around, right?

How did all this ‘oneness’ happen? Where did our habits, idiosyncrasies and brains not just intersect, but converge and become of one mind on the graph of Life? When did I start letting her pick out my clothes? And when did she trust me with grocery shopping?

Whenever and however, the fact remains that it happens. And it’s a good thing it does. Think of the waste of time trying to remember the real words when gibberish will do. So,  when the time comes that you can’t think of each other’s names, just throw in some ‘gib’, keep the conversation going, enjoy yourself, no matter who your with, or think you’re with!

“The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.”
Friedrich Nietzsche*  

To all my friends and their whatchamallits…

Steve
Srbottch.Com
October 2018

*(Goodreads.com)

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srbottch

Retired in 2013 after 5 years as an elementary school teacher and 40 years as a sales representative to begin anew as a school crossing guard. SMy essays/stories are a way to communicate through the telling of personal experiences. One reader said about my blog stories, "...these are like a cold sip during a marathon run, simple, real life events". Another offered about my blog, “it brings some sense of normalcy not easily found in the modern world.”

29 thoughts on ““Whosis, Whatsis and Whatchamacallit””

  1. Hello my dear friend from above. Good to hear, (read) from you. 36 years together living with my 1/2 half orange and I recognize our relationship in your description. You are right. Once humanity will discover is much capable than we think. Believe me I died o’ve…. You are picking the telephone and the friend you wanted to call is calling. No word needed your partner knows.In the past my grandmother used to say as we had an examination or were simply ill :I will think about you (the truth :put you positively in my prayers) and it works… Since I recovered front death… I also put the friend I love in my prayers… No need to believe… Just thinking positively to someone. You are one of those few people I am thinking, and believe it or not, when I woke up a few minutes ago, I was thinking about my friend Steve I haven’t heard about since long-term.
    All the best for you, family and Mrs Daisy.
    X, Jean-Marc and Cat_Astrophe

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    1. Hi, Xa, so nice to hear from you. Thank for your nice note. I’ve had writer’s whatchamacallit and haven’t produced much, hence the silence. I’m glad you’re thinking of me and, just to let you know, the feeling is mutual. Please keep in touch. Give my best to whosis and Cat_whatsherface…😂

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  3. Just as well we know what each other is thinking because I often forget to listen, especially if wI’m On Line. Cyberspouse indoors ‘I’m just going to …’ I totally forget whether he was going to the shops, to phone the dentist, to go on the computer… only a thorough search of the house will establish the destination. Worse when you’re out at the shops. ‘I’m just going… ‘ did he say to the computer shop, to look at the men’s clothes, to the hardware shop or to the gents ‘…and I’ll see you at…’ Where on earth are we meeting up again?

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  5. Brilliant piece Steve. Sooooooooo relatable, lol. Oneness is probably the best word. Eyes are definitely windows to the soul and when we know our partner’s soul it seems effortless to know their thoughts. 🙂

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  7. Hah! I love this! Looking forward to the moment when we reach this level of telepathy 🙂
    Would you be ok with it if I share this via reblog? It’s just too good.

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      1. Aaawwww 😀 😀 Thank you! I will share this awesomeness first thing in the morning!
        You know, I think when that moment of sordid telepathy hits, you will surely come to mind. You know, I’m thinking whatssits about Bottchonssons 😉

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  12. I wonder, Steve, if I will ever become like this in my relationship. Terence and I have been married nearly 18 years and together nearly 22 years. I still think he thinks I am a rather strange elf he picked up along the way. He is a black and white pin stripe and I am a multi-coloured one. He will never finish my sentences as how I think is a bit alien to him. It works for us.

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