Word To Use Today: tribble.

You know about tribbles, don't you?

Yes, that's right: they're a family of proteins that regulates cell-division in embryonic fruit-flies (no, really, they are).

The point I'm skirting round, of course, is that there are some things it's cooler not to know. 

What do you do if a question about tribbles comes up in a pub quiz? Pretend ignorance and risk those smug twits from Accounts getting one over on you? Or admit to having a passing acquaintance with Star Trek?

Personally, I'd answer up.

Anyway, tribbles.

Tribbles are friendly, they're soft, they're soothing, and they make a pleasant noise.

The fact that they breed at an incredible rate is, quite frankly, to those of us who are Earth-dwellers, an S.E.P.*

How can we use the enchanting word tribble?

Well, using breeding like tribbles instead of breeding like rabbits will usually, I suggest, lighten the mood.

And that's generally a good thing.



It's probably best not to admit to knowing they come from the planet Iota Geminorum IV, though. 

Or that their Scientific name is Polygeminus grex.

So you didn't hear it from me, okay?

Word To Use Today: tribble. This word - and the creature - was dreamt up by David Gerrold in 1967.


*S.E.P. = Someone Else's Problem.