A simple definition of the word ‘any,’ according to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, is a word used to indicate a person or thing that is not particularly specific. The word can be used by itself or in combinations. ‘Any’ can be an adjective or a pronoun. It is in the bottom 50 per cent of word popularity, and was first used in the 12th century.
I’ll try writing a story using the not-so-popular word. Any and all of the U.S. politicians anywhere knows that Trump’s quest for the presidency is something that anybody who amounts to anything wishes would not succeed in any way. Anyone that puts his or her mind to it can achieve great things anyhow and even become president of the U.S. without any need to say anything to upset anybody.
Anyway, this is supposed to be a lighthearted story discussing anything that anyone can share with anyone else anywhere and with anybody anyhow. Let me tell you about Lena and Ole. Anyway, Ole worked as a foreman for a construction company. He could have lunch anywhere, but chose Joe’s diner, which was famous all over town for its baked beans. Anywhere you went, anybody would give great reviews. Anyway, Ole knew he should not have eaten the three plates of beans for lunch, but he couldn’t help himself. Anyone who knew Ole knew that he would give anything to eat any beans anywhere, however they were made.
Lena was as excited as anything when Ole walked through the door. She told him that she had a surprise dinner for him and had to blindfold him so he wouldn’t be able to tell what it was. She told him not to go anywhere, but he started walking toward the kitchen anyway. Anyhow, Lena led him to his favourite chair at the dining table, and without saying anything, made him take his seat. Lena was about to remove the blindfold when out of nowhere the hall telephone rang. Ole couldn’t hear anything and was wondering to himself if anybody was actually on the phone to Lena. Anyhow, the beans he had eaten at lunch was creating unbearable pressure, and he couldn’t hear anything indicating that Lena was coming back, so he seized the opportunity and without hurting anybody, he shifted his weight to one leg and dislodged a stinky bean bomb. It was loud and he hoped that Lena couldn’t hear anything so it therefore it wouldn’t annoy her or anybody else. The bomb smelled like a fertilizer truck having run over a skunk in front of a garbage disposal.
Anyway, he took his napkin and vigorously fanned the air, attempting to move the smell to anywhere else but where he sat. Anyhow, the release of pressure felt so good and thinking that there weren’t anybody around, he released three more bombs. The malicious and offensive odour was worse than anything anybody had experienced and smelled like rotting lutefisk and cooked cabbage. He listened carefully attempting to hear anything of the telephone conversation in the hall, and kept on releasing foul smelling bombs for another few minutes. Anyway, he heard Lena say her goodbyes signalling the end of his privacy, and quickly fanned the air a few more times in an effort to remove any rotten egg smell.
Lena did not make any remark when she came back until she stood behind his chair. She asked if he had made any attempts to lift his blindfold for any peaks, and he assured her that he had not made any such attempt. At that point Lena removed the blindfold, revealing any and all of the 12 dinner guests seated around the table, and with their fingers pinching their noses, they started singing “Happy Birthday.”
So to any and all of my friends anywhere and anybody else, be careful of anything untoward happening to you at any time!
Sven was attending a political rally and was challenged by another delegate, but just not anybody. In fact, it was ‘the Donald.’
Donald said, "Hey my friend, any question I askyou that you don't know the answer to, you have to give me $5. And when you ask me a question, any question, and I can'tanswer yours, I will give you $5,000.”
Sven said, "Okay."
‘The Donald’ then asked, "How manycontinents are there in the world?" Sven just handed over the $5.
Then Sven said, "My turn: ‘What kind of animal stands on two legs but sleeps on three?’" Donald searched very hardfor any answer, he also turned to the other delegates and said, "Anyone, anybody know the answer to the question?” Not receiving any positive response, he turned to his campaign crew and asked, “Anybody?” They all shook their heads. ‘The Donald’ handed over the $5,000 and asked, “By the way, whatwas the answer to your question?"
Sven said, “Anybody including me would have failed that question,” and handed over $5.
School is starting again, so here is one for the students:
The teacher asked, "If I gave you two cats plus another two and another two, how many would you have?"
Johnny answered, "Seven."
The teacher said, "No, listen carefully... If I gave you two cats, plus another two and another two, how many would you have?"
Johnny said, "Seven."
The teacher finally said, "Let me put it to you differently. If I gave you two apples, plus another two apples and another two, how many would you have?"
Johnny answered, "Six."
"Good. Now if I gave you two cats, plus another two cats and another two, how many would you have?" the teacher asked.
“Seven!” Johnny replied.
"Johnny, how do you get seven?!" the teacher asked.
Johnny responded, "Because I've already have one cat!"