Baby Bump (noun)

See, I knew that would get your attention.  But it's not me I'm talking about.  Cross my heart with a pair of knitting needles (that's for you, Pam). 

I'm talking about the The Chicktionary, the debut book by Anna Lefler, which is arriving in your stores and on your screen this coming week. The Chicktionary (Adams Media) is a book of terms, 450 or so of them.  Terms women use or want to use or don't know they should use, but (if only they were as smart as Anna, or as daring) would.  Anna Lefler, comedienne, is our pink-hued lexiconic guide.  I got an early look at this (and an inside look at Anna's amazingly disciplined process) throughout the summer and early fall.  Anna would send me a definition and I'd find it on my phone.  I'd read it to whomever was gathered near.  I'd leave the crowd in wet-eyed pieces.

They thought I was funny.  Sniff.

So here's to Anna, and since I teased you up above, I'll give Baby Bump its moment, below.  That leaves you with 449 terms or so to find and memorize on your own.

Baby Bump, noun 

Also known simply as “bump,” this term refers to a woman’s visible pregnancy bulge.  An extremely common term among tabloid reporters and paparazzi, baby bump is used most often in reference to celebrities.  Examples of this use include, “Grammy-winner Alicia Keyes showed off her baby bump in a beaded, Empire-waisted sheath,” and “Paris Hilton’s alleged baby bump was revealed to be nothing more than the aftermath of a Super Burrito.”  Although a campaign was launched recently to take the focus off of women’s tummies and redirect scrutiny to male celebrities’ midsections, the terms “beer bump” and “bratwurst bump” have yet to catch on.

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My friend and comedienne extraordinaire Anna Lefler has a book deal

It may be true (I'm talking to you, Florinda, you) that I've never actually met Anna Lefler in person. But I have talked to this west-coaster countless times and for innumerable hours on the phone, shattered my fragile bones over her genius blog funnies, watched her perform on You Tube for the most sensational crowds (my own sensational snickering husband at my side), and been on this awed and grateful side of her steadying wisdom and stupendous generosity. I've interviewed Anna, and I've read her books in progress, kept her cards and icons and treasures on my sill and near my heart.

It wasn't long ago that my friend called with some news that she can now make public: Anna Lefler has her first book deal! She was sought out, thanks to her riveting blog. She said yes.  She plunged in with the professionalism, discipline, and completely lovably twisted eye she brings to all things under the tilted sun and orbed-out moon. And you will not have to wait long for your copy of a book every woman will soon have.

From Publishers Marketplace:

Comedian and "Life Just Keeps Getting Weirder" blogger Anna Lefler's CHICKTIONARY: FROM A-LINE TO Z-SNAP, THE WORDS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW, a humorous lexicon of the terms women use and what they're really saying when they use them, to Diane Garcia at Adams Media, for publication in October 2011, by Betsy Amster at Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises (World).

I'll admit: I've seen a few early entries. I'll admit again: I was sitting at the hair salon when Anna's most recent entry flew in over my phone. I read the final line to the ladies I was with. Here is what they, in unison, said:

Oh my gosh, that's going to be a bestseller!!!

Congratulations, Anna Lefler! I know I've never had a chance to give you a real-live hug. But I did see you floating down the street one day, high above the crowds. I took the picture here, so that I might someday say: I knew her when. I was in her audience.

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