LANGUAGE
WHAT’S UP?
By Aaron R. Fodiman
MAY/JUNE 2021 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 111
I am fascinated by the word “up.” With
only two letters, it should be easy to
understand its meaning. At first,
I thought of it as a direction,
such as toward the sky or simply
above me.
Then they told me when I
overslept to wake “up,” and
then when I went to a meeting,
a topic, came “up.” I objected, so
I was told to speak “up.” So they
suggested that I run for public office
and put me “up” for election.
Then I was told it was “up” to me to
write “up” a report. So I called “up” some
friends, who suggested that I brighten “up”
the room and polish “up” the silver before I warmed
“up” dinner and then cleaned “up.” So I locked “up” the house
and went to fix “up” my car.
Am I stirring “up” trouble when I line “up”
for tickets, or work “up” an appetite while
I think “up” an excuse? I got dressed
“up” to go open “up” the office, where
the drain was stopped “up” until I
opened it “up” and went to close “up”
for the day.
I would try to make “up” a list of all
the things “up” can mean and ways
it can be used, but it would take “up”
too much of my time.
If I didn’t give “up,” I might wind
“up” with more than 100 uses of “up.”
If it is about to rain, it is clouding “up,”
and once the rain goes away, it has cleared
“up.” Once the sun comes out, it will dry “up.”
I’m going to wrap this “up” before I mess “up,”
as my time is now “up,” and I probably should shut “up.”
It is now “up” to you to say, “What’s up?” 9