Our little guy (18 months old) is attempting to actually communicate more frequently these days. Unfortunately his vocabulary consists of a series of neatherthal-ish grunts, pointing and an all-purpose word: eesh. We are sometimes able to figure out what word “eesh” indicates by environmental clues although the rules are sometimes arbitrary and so there are no guarantees so the only way to decipher what is going on is to ask a lot of questions. My life is an effing game of 20 questions right now.

By the bathroom sink: eesh=teeth (meaning toothbrush)

In the bathtub: eesh=fish (bath toy)

Standing by the open fridge: eesh=cheese

In the kitchen in general: eesh=juice

When desiring any object, person or action: eesh=please

To indicate the affirmative: eesh=yes

To indicate a specific object: eesh=this

A typical “conversation” goes like this…

Toddler: EESH?

Adult: Do you want something?

Toddler: EESH!

Adult: Would you like some cheese?

Toddler: eesh?

Adult: Oh, you mean juice?

Toddler: *includes frantic pointing* Eesh. Eesh. Eesh. Eesh!

Adult: Cheese AND juice?

Toddler: *nodding* EESH!!!

Update: I forgot a couple other words.  “Orange” is also pronounced “Eesh”.  As is the name of a certain male body part. Eh-hem.  Damn me and my commitment to using the proper names for anatomy!