Are You Having a 'Staycation', 'Baycation' or 'Raycation'?

(Note:  National Vocabulary Coach of the Year Debbie Watts will appear on Nashville's WSMV-TV Channel 4 (NBC) at 12:30 p.m. July 28th (Tuesday) to provide fun-filled insights on vocabulary usage.  Here are her latest vocabulary insights.  To buy her new book, visit Amazon and conduct a search using the author's name or "Wordabulous".)

By Debbie Watts (a.k.a. "Word Woman")

(WORDABULOUS, Tenn.) -- July 9, 2009 was an important date for all word lovers.  It was on that date that 100 new words were added to the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary.  

One of my favorite words made the list of 100 to be added.  I've been using the word "staycation" for years to indicate that I'll be staying at home during periodic times off from my day job as a teacher.  So, I got to thinking: if staycation can get added to the dictionary, this is my chance to really make my mark on American culture.  So, beginning immediately, I'll be lobbying to get some of my own coinages added .  

For instance, when I visit one of my favorite cities, San Francisco, one might say that I am on a "baycation". 

If I've already gotten too much sun, instead of taking a "Jamai-cation", I might opt for a "raycation".  

A philandering husband might take a "straycation", and at the opposite end of the moral spectrum, someone seeking spiritual growth may go on a religious retreat and take a "praycation".  

Three-hundred and sixty-four days out of the year, Santa Claus takes a "sleigh-cation", and female fans of singer Clay Aiken (they call themselves Clay-mates) may all go to a Clay Aiken concert, thus taking a "claycation".  

If they use  part of their vacation budget to get new hair color, they may also be taking a "graycation".   

As for me and my house, this summer we are allocating our vacation money to have the house pressure-washed.  I suppose we are having a "spraycation".  

Whatever "cation" you are having, make it the best one ever!

Debbie Watts
("Word Woman")