assassins: two or more neighbours huddled in conversation in the bingo hall, down the household cleaners aisle of the supermarket or on the steps of the church
cactus: cantankerous old man of the desert. If we had to live under the conditions he has to we’d be prickly, too
Clayderman: tinkle tinkle little star
couch potato: vegetable feeding on vegetable matter
garage sale: downstream industry where people flog the junk they’ve never used to other people who’ll never use it either
hormones: modern blanket excuse for all kinds of adolescent nonsense our parents didn’t tolerate
international community: euphemism for White House and Downing Street
power: opium of politicians
sushi: Nippon tuck
the good life: if at the end i can say ‘i thought clearly, spoke true and wrote well’
then i lived the good life
johnpoetflanagan 
Assassins? What kind of a neighborhood do you live in?
Wait. No. Better not tell me.
Much like any other neighbourhood, Alicia, where gossip is inevitable.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
Best to you
John
I like the definition of “the good life”! 🙂 Something so simple, and so easy to do.
Serena, thank you, thank you very much.
A big hug
John
You’re very welcome John! Big hug to you ♥
Yes, I agree.
Thank you very much, Henrietta
You are very welcome, John. Have a beautiful day! 🙂
“Laughs.” This is truly wonderful John. And I especially like the, “cactus: cantankerous old man of the desert. If we had to live under the conditions he has to we’d be prickly, too.”
The end was the best. Great analogy of life and the humor in it.:-)
Sincerely,
Dawna
Happy you liked them, Dawna,
And thank you so much for reading and responding.
Best to you always
John
It’s my pleasure John, always. Your work inspires me do be better, and become more. Its profoundly, and creatively written. You have done well.
Sincerely,
Dawna
Hee hee. Although, as a Yank, had to look up Clayderman on the Internet. (Should Yank start with a small y?) Clayderman as in French pianist?
You’ve inspired me to Nippon tuck into some chocolate.
Yes, that pianist who has often made me want to do damage to elevators…that tinkling piano is the worst! Easy on the chocolate.
Thank you so much for reading and responding.
Warmest wishes
John
Yes!
Dennis, thank you
Good ones, John–yes, who knows how many characters are assassinated in the locales you mention 🙂 Thanks for the chuckles, and I like your definition of the good life. Best to you!
Thank you, Willow, thank you so much.
Warmest wishes
John
Clayderman: tinkle tinkle little star
My favorite…how did you get to that line, John?
‘tinkle’ led to ‘twinkle’ and then the rest fell into place..thank you so much, Audrey.
My best to you
John
i love ‘cactus’.
Gav, thank you
Best to you
John
John, a very entertaining post. All nine hilarious, and number ten a true gem! Thank you as always, such a pleasure to read your words.
Warm wishes,
Pepper
And warmest wishes to you,
Dear Pepper,
And many thanks for all the support
John
Witty observations, John – but on a sreious note, how often do we interpret the meaning of words differently from others? And how well can we then understand them? Something to ponder!
Absolutely so, Chris. I always enjoy your comments and your fine thinking
and am always grateful for the support
John
Clayderman strikes a chord with me ..
Love that comment, thank you.
My best to you
John
I am torn between good life and couch potato. Thumbs up!
Aina, a great choice!
Thank you so much.
A big hug
John
xo
I see you doing these on stage, John. Great stand-up! Comedy for the thinking audience.
Gina, Friend,
Love the suggestion but I’m afraid the demands of stand-up are not for me.
Bless your generous heart.
John
‘Garage sale thing’ is a good one. So true!
Bruce, thank you and yes those sales are a bit of a joke.
LOL – today I will be a couch potato 😀
Brilliant description on garage sale, that is a real experience!
Thank you, Indah, thank you
Loved those definitions. They are so clever. I’m sharing this post.
Myra, happy you enjoyed them and please feel free to share.
Thank you
John
“tinkle tinkle little star” is inspired, no other word it and “Nippon tuck” is brilliant, no other word for that one, either. Winnie and myself are chuckling.
You are quite something, Sir!
Winnie and Harry,
Thank you both very much
Love
John
what more can be said, wonderful text John.
Thank You, Hollie
Nice one! I just nominated you for the Liebster Award: http://curioushappyblogger.wordpress.com/2014/09/25/the-liebster-award/
And write well you have John! I couldn’t pick a favourite line on this one!
Don,
Thank You very much
BIG smiles! ‘Couch potato’ had me smiling the most!
Thank You, Christy, thank you for visiting and reading and for visitng several of my other postings – you honour me.
My best to You
John
Love the alternate definition of hormones………
Thank You so much
Best Wishes
John
Thank you for this! We all need more laughter in our world.
Adrian
Thank You
Adrian
and I’m happy they brought a chuckle.
You’re so right, we do need a little bit of laughter in a sorry world.
My best to you
John