Magic Words in the Comics

Don't miss Mark Engblom's fun list of two dozen magic words that transform or transport comic book characters:

http://comiccoverage.typepad.com/comic_coverage/2009/03/with.html

Color

"How many times can I emphasize that color is the magic word this season. Reds, Greens, Blues, Yellows. You name the color and it is in . . . as long as it's bright and bold."
—Fashion Secrets


Color by COLOURlovers

Hooroo

The "truly wondrous fantasmagorically splendiferously magickal word hooroo" (credited to someone's Uncle Wally) echoes two likely sources. It's a bit of a joyous exclamation, as in "Hooroo! hooroo! hooray!" (Darby O'Gill), and it's also something of an owl's hoot, as in "the proper hooroo, hooroo" (The Sword in the Stone).

Omakase

Adventurous diners will want to know the magic word omakase:

With omakase, you enter into a contract. The word, which means, more or less, 'entrusting', is your way of saying to the itamae (sushi chef) that you're prepared to abandon any kind of ownership of your dinner. Which, if you're as much of a control freak as I am, is a terrifying prospect. But by using the magic word, I've had real adventures in two of the world's major sushi capitals: Tokyo and Los Angeles.

For an explanation, see "Say the Magic Word at No Hana Sushi."

Top Hat

"Everything exists in the magician's top-hat. The challenge is to learn the magic words while you're still inside." —Gene5ive

Comet

"One ... clearly said the magic word, but phrased as a question: 'Comet?'"
—David Levy's Guide to Observing and Discovering Comets

[See large George Cruikshank illustration here. Thanks, William Keckler.)

Make Your Own Magic Word

The Art of Shen Ku suggests taking the first two or three letters in your name, changing the first letter to Z, and adding an A at the end. For example, the name Gordon would become Zorda. Tamara would become "Zama."