Word of the day: 點解

點解 [dim-kai]

Definition: Why? The word in its one-word sentence format is generally used by a 3 year old as a mechanism to delay performing any undesired activity. If used frequently, it has the capacity to annoy the parents similar to the effect of a series firing of "What? What? What?"

Examples:

"We having a bath now." "點解? Why?"

"Hurry up and finish your dinner." "點解? Why?"

"Don't stand behind me when I'm opening the fridge." "點解? Why?"

This is trickier to handle than the "乜? What?" questions, as child experts suggested that it is but natural for children to be curious about their environment. Hence, for sanity-saving measures, may I suggest the following:

(1) The convoluted confusion strategy

On the way to pre-school, "Mami, why is our car not moving?"

"Coz there's a red light in front."

"Why?"

"Because."

"Why because?"

"Because you ask me why."

"Why does Mami always say Why? Why?"

"Because you ask me why, so I'm want to know why you're asking me why."

That should spin him into a state of total confusion. If it backfired, try the next method:

(2) The broken recorder strategy

As I tucked him in bed, "Close your eyes now, you'll be going to pre-school tomorrow."

"Why?" Sigh. Here we go again.

"咩點解喎? Why what?"

"Why?"

"咩點解呀? Why what?"

"Why?"

"咩點解唶? Why what, huh?"

"Mami! Why are you always saying what?"

And if he is still in the mood for more Why questions, and I am feeling particularly patient at that moment, we can try the following:

(3) The self-closure strategy

"Please pick up your shoes and put them back to the shoe rack."

"Why?"

"Why, indeed? That's a good question. What do you think?"

"I don't know."

"Well, if you don't know, I don't know either."

"Because we should put things back to their proper places?"

"Bingo!"

On those days when I feel vindictive, I feel like doing this to EggEgg:

"Mami, can we go to the park?"

"Why?"

"Go to park! Go to park!"

"Why?"

"I want to go to park! Now!"

"Why?"

Hohoho... the taste of revenge is sweet. I think my mind must have been screwed by all this Why? questions.