Calling all Wordsmiths (with Added Commentary)

Alma 17:3 - "... and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord ..."

During my lunch hour yesterday, I had the chance to talk with my best mate on the phone. There was just something awesome about the experience, something nearly legendary. When we parted ways over two years ago, a storm had literally shot lightning bolts through the night above as we loudly bemoaned our eminent separation. For two years, we had labored diligently in the nations where God had called us, communicating briefly every so often via email. And, despite all that, coming back, it was like nothing had changed. Oh, we've changed for sure, but beyond that? Not as I see.
The phone call was a wonderful experience, and a sincere blessing from God. I look forward to my best mate becoming a regular on this blog in the next couple of months.

On the way home from work, dad and I were arguing the the topic of arguments.
"You see, when I marry, I want her to enjoy the thrill of debate!"
"That had better be low on your list of the 45 qualities you're looking for," dad said.
"No way, brah! Life will be so boring if we can't ever disagree with each other in an agreeable manner."
"But that's the thing! You can't call it a debate. The word in and of itself suggests a negative connotation. No lady will want to have any sort of conversation with any sort of contention involved."
"But that's the thing! I call it a debate because that word, moreso than the word 'argument,' lacks the implication of contention!"
"Regardless, it still suggests contention!"
We bickered back and forth for a while, all in good-natured fun. Finally, we looked up the word 'debate' on Thesaurus dot com. Argument, contest, controversy, deliberation, contention, match, hassle, wrangle, blah-blah ... None of them completely fit my understanding.
"To describe what you're looking for," dad said, "It's almost like we need a new word."
"What could it be?"
We thought for a minute.
"Maybe ... a wordjoust?"
My eyes lit up. "Ooooo! I like it! But it almost sounds like the people involved would be participating on the topic of words."
"True. We're talking about a friendly exchange of ideas."
"So ... maybe a thinkjoust?"
The new word was born.

thinkjoust [thingk-juhst]
noun
1. a debate without contest (submitted by me)
2. a friendly exchange of ideas (submitted by dad)

This here's a word now. I'm going to use it every chance I have.

I wrote a commentary about this post on January 29, 2015. Click here to read!