Laapsi -

If there is a trip to the hospital, it is no longer a laapsi ; it has been promoted to a durdhatna (accident) or chot (injury). The laapsi lives exclusively in the realm of the non-fatal and the hilarious. Part of the joy of the laapsi is the word itself. It is onomatopoeic in a wet, slippery way. Say it aloud: Laap-see . It sounds like a small, soft object hitting a wet floor. It lacks the sharp, dangerous ring of “crash” or “collapse.” Instead, it feels forgiving, almost cuddly.

Because the floor is always waiting. And it has a sense of humor. So, the next time you see someone suddenly perform an unplanned interpretive dance with the sidewalk, remember the word. Smile, offer a hand, and whisper under your breath: "Laapsi." laapsi

And the victim, now safe, will replay the flailing arms, the sudden gravity check, and the audience of strangers in the rearview mirror. They will blush. They will laugh. And they will vow to watch that one uneven tile for the rest of their lives—until the next laapsi , of course. If there is a trip to the hospital,