Diana Doll: If words make you tougher, we could all use them

It has come to my attention that saying certain words can make one tough, so I plan to try it. The words are “radical Islamic terrorists.” Or is it “Islamist?” I’ll say them both ways to be safe. Here goes: ... Whoa! My arms are getting thick and green; legs, too. And these shoulders! Goodness. Ouch, my head is hitting the ceiling. Need to go outside. Don’t trample the bushes. Still growing. I’m not sure my husband will appreciate this.

Maybe my new toughness can be of use to others. I see my next door neighbor. “Hey Ted, need anything picked up? Not tidied up but picked up. Never mind.” Aww, those other people are running away. “Don’t go, it’s me, Annie. I’m just bigger because I said some magic words. I said ...

Drat. This is depressing. Maybe I can be of use catching evildoers. Where to start? Would I need a weapon? My hands alone are as big as bass drums – hold on – they’re looking smaller. I’m shrinking and not so green. I must be changing back!

That was close. But I learned a couple of things. Toughness, by itself, doesn’t go far and words with special powers belong in comic books.

This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 4:43 PM with the headline "Diana Doll: If words make you tougher, we could all use them."