Emptybottle.org

Cory uses the phrase 'mind-croggling' to describe Ray Kurzweil's writing. I've used the phrase repeatedly over the years. It appears all over the web. But it's not Real English. Of course, that's never stopped me before.

Will 'mind-croggling' eventually become a part of the language, or can it be argued that it already is?

The first time I recall ever seeing the phrase was in Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy books. I suspect he just made it up, on the fly, as a natural descriptor for the next step beyond being boggled.

I remember with great pleasure sitting on the beach beside the cold cold lake one summer, out back of the house, in my hometown, reading and re-reading a copy of the Hitchhiker's Guide, laughing out loud. One of the first long pieces of writing I ever did, back in my early teens, was in emulation of the gymnastic language and unbridled silliness of the Guide. I've gone back to those books every couple of years since, and they're still dear to my heart.

I loved that Douglas Adams. He had a huge influence in molding the WonderChickonian sense of humour. I guess that he might have preferred more substantial legacies than these, but maybe they'll do just fine.