Negefits

Libby sits in the rocking chair in front of the family computer, writing an essay. As we pass through the den, we loiter around her to read over her shoulder. She has a question on her mind, puts it to the little peanut gallery gathered about her. “What’s the opposite of benefit?” Disadvantage. Drawback. Downside. No, that’s not it….she sounds it out. “Benefits and….” She can’t come up with a satisfactory ending. She tries again. “Benefits and….negefits!” Negefits? Yup, negefits. We nod our approval, it makes sense. We’ve adopted it into everyday language. Oxford English Dictionary hasn’t, yet.