Tapping Creativity in Language

When we speak of tapping creativity, we may assume that it means creativity of ideas. In many cases, this is true; but creativity is so much more. Sometimes it can be a creativity of concept, like the work of Gabrial Garcia Marquez. Sometimes it can be a creativity of technique, like the work of James Joyce or Jack Kerouac. Or sometimes it is in the creativity of language, like the work of Abbot and Costello.

Yes. You read that correctly.

Abbot and Costello's "Who's on First" routine is one of the most popular in comedy skits in American history, because it plays on what we presume to know about language. Once you can change the rules of language, creativity begins.

I've included the full skit here. Many of you have seen excerpts of this routine. Please take a few minutes to view it in its entirety. It is brilliant. I hope it sparks something creative in you.