All of the above, especially the hogwash bit.
I don't remember ever not loving words. My lucky self had an English teacher Mom, a fantastically literate Dad and a Chaucer professor for an Uncle who spent most weekends at our home and often brought along favorite students for the weekend.
I wrangled up 5 new subscriptions for my paper route, when I was 12, so that I could get the prize of a new dictionary. (oops - cross thread. 'Too many bops on the noggin with that heavy Latin textbook I guess)
My Latin teacher, in Freshman year HS, used to whack me on the head as he declined a word that I had made a mistake on. Despite that, I'm glad I took the course, not that I had a choice. My subsequent Latin teachers were less violent.

Last edited by Owlbow; 02/08/2006 5:19 PM.