Friday night, in a kitchen utensil aisle, I pick up a tool and prepare to toss it in the cart. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! What's that?"

I respond to the excitable lad by showing him the tag. "But, what's it for!?" questioned he. Again, I drew attention to the label. "Yeah, I know what it's called, but what do you use it for?" Deep breath, Laura. This may all be one of his mind games...one of his, "how far can I ride the irritating pony before I get tossed" stunts.

I waved the tag in front of his face once more and commanded bluntly, "Read it aloud and think about it."

He paused. "Potato Masher. Oh."