they call it mastication.

The word sounds provocative. Say it: "mastication." Sort of gritty, raunchy, scandalous. The real meaning—simply to chew on something—is almost disappointing. If I heard it while I was still in junior high, I'd probably find myself in a situation like this...

Sara sits quietly at the end of a long cafeteria table, staring at the lunch her mother packed for her that morning, the same as every morning and every lunch period. A boy, Freddie, turns around in his seat. The other boys giggle in anticipation.

Freddie spits out the question, "Are you masticating?" A peal of laughter erupts from his buddies. Extremely embarrassed, Sara mutters, "I...umm...n-n-no. I mean...what?" The color in her cheeks matches her pink and red speckled frames. Unfortunately, the glasses cover half her face and magnify her blush.

Freddie can barely manage to explain through his laughter that "it just means chewing, geez! Don't have a panic attack."

"Girls..."

The meaning of "mastication" is nothing like what a junior higher expects. I still think it's a weird word. Truth be told, I tend to lean more toward the giggling boy reaction when I read or hear it. As poet Ogden Nash said, "You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely." Thanks, Ogden, I think I will.