This Story Is Literally Hot Air

(My family’s code-word for passing gas is that there are ‘barking spiders.’ My mom, my sister, and her kids are visiting my house for family dinner. We are in a back room when we hear some ‘barking spiders.’)

Me: “Whoops, we need to clear out of this room; there are some barking spiders in here!”

(My mom and sister get the hint, and clear out, while my four-year-old nephew wants to see the spiders.)

Nephew: “Barking spiders? Where are your barking spiders?”

Me: “Oh, sorry, they’re napping!”

(A few weeks later, my sister and her family are back. We are sitting around when my nephew turns to me.)

Nephew: “Auntie, um, can I see your barking spiders?”

Me: *laughs hysterically* “Go ahead and look in the back room. Tell me if you find them!”