It took a few repetitions for me to get this, though: I had to unhear “pee” and realize there was some other verb he was using, and I couldn’t hear “be” till I unheard the more logical (if bizarre) “pee.” This idea of listening templates—my term—is funny and striking. We have whole matrices in our heads that sort for expected usages, and are especially tight for typical usages. The net is loose enough for creativity & innovation, but tight enough to allow on-the-fly listening.

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