March 15th, 2013

Better Words

by Brian Walker, Greg Walker and Chance Browne

In 1964, Mort Walker got an idea for a Hi and Lois strip when his son, Greg, called the Empire State Building the “entire state building.”  This comment led to a series Mort dubbed “Better Words” which referred to phrases kids invent that are more descriptive than the original terms.  Readers were invited to send in their own “Better Words” and the response was overwhelming.

Here are a some early examples:

Eventually the “Better Words” series ran its course and was discontinued.  “How many ways can a child say ‘spaghetti’ and still get a laugh?” Mort explained.

Future posts will feature more “Better Words” strips and other memorable milestones in Hi and Lois history.

– Brian Walker