The MONSTER Moniker

The definition of “monster” is most likely something along the lines of “a creature that is overpowering or menacing in nature.” Over time though, its definition has expanded to encompass size of an item and severity of a situation as well. There are monster trucks, monster cookies, even monster burgers. One can have a monster headache, a monster work-out, or a monster test. There is even an energy drink called Monster—it makes me wonder if the effects might be likened to the events in the Jekyll and Hyde story.

Some of Henson's memorable monsters.

 It was Jim Henson’s Sesame Street that made “monsters” cute, funny, adorable, and non-scary. I can’t help but wonder if perhaps Grover, Animal, or Oscar the Grouch might be offended at the word being so carelessly used. Instead of a harmless celebration with root beer floats and the like on Sesame Street, a “monster party” takes on the connotation of raucous behavior and too much alcohol. Such negativity has even found its way into familial references with the coining of the term monster-in-law, probably with the release of the 2005 movie by the same name.

A monster sundae

  

A monster pumpkin, weighing over 431 lbs.

Perhaps we should come up with a better adjective for some of these “larger-than-life” types of things so that we don’t give “lovable, furry old Grover” a bad rap.  One could also conclude, of course, that a “monster” this-or-that is simply in the eye of the beholder, and that he or she must choose whether or not to be influenced by monster claims (of bigger, better products) or their negative counterparts.