Argh... need a word, and thesaurus won't help!

Exir · Nov 30, 2009

I need a word (noun) that means "adventure", but doesn't sound as grand. It has to give a connotation of childlike playfulness. You know, the kind of thing you do even though you're not supposed to -- just because you can. The closest word that comes to what I'm looking for is "dare", since that gives a feeling of foolhardiness, but infuriatingly, the context means that it isn't actually a dare, since nobody dared the three friends to undertake this "adventure" -- they decided themselves.

Help is appreciated!

Saskatoonistan · Nov 30, 2009

Exir said:
I need a word (noun) that means "adventure", but doesn't sound as grand. It has to give a connotation of childlike playfulness. You know, the kind of thing you do even though you're not supposed to -- just because you can. The closest word that comes to what I'm looking for is "dare", since that gives a feeling of foolhardiness, but infuriatingly, the context means that it isn't actually a dare, since nobody dared the three friends to undertake this "adventure" -- they decided themselves.

Help is appreciated!

Romp.

Cyia · Nov 30, 2009

Saskatoonistan said:
Romp.

Exactly what I was thinking.

alleycat · Nov 30, 2009

Quest, chase, hunt . . . ?

Caper?

Sophia · Nov 30, 2009

Perhaps lark, or escapade?

smcc360 · Nov 30, 2009

I vote for 'escapade'.

Failing that, 'jaunt'. As a backup, 'frolic'.

Exir · Nov 30, 2009

All great suggestions!

Matera the Mad · Nov 30, 2009

What thesaurus doesn't have all those good words in it? (I can guess -- I don't use it)

DWSTXS · Nov 30, 2009

a ditty

LOG · Nov 30, 2009

Adventure can be very childish if you simply place it in a childish context.

goddessofthehunt · Dec 1, 2009

mischief

As in, create mischief, get up to mischief...

Steam&Ink · Dec 1, 2009

I like "escapade" too. Without seeing the sentence - and therefore not able to contextualise - I would also suggest caper, frolic, hi-jinks (depending on tone) and antics.

ETA: if anyone mentions I sound like a Grandpa for suggesting these words, I will be forced to call you a "whippersnapper"

Wayne K · Dec 1, 2009

Tomfoolery.

Wayne K · Dec 1, 2009

Actually, I think "The adventures of Tom Sawyer" factored into that one

PeterL · Dec 1, 2009

As Roy Chapman Andrews put it, "Adventure is someone having a rough time in a distant place." (or words to that effect)

"Trouble "is a good synonym.

Chase · Dec 1, 2009

Of all the great suggestions, I like the cat's "caper" the best for three youths. Maybe brazen caper.

Having been a member of such adventursome trios, I can't imagine dares not being involved--even escalating to double and triple-dog.

virginia · Dec 8, 2009

Exir,

I'm sorry, I know it's a bit late but - just because I thought of it - how about 'prank'?

There, that's it!

Virginia

Argh... need a word, and thesaurus won't help!

Exir

Out of the cradle endlessly rocking

Saskatoonistan

Still the wrong side of Saskatoon

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

alleycat

Still around

Sophia

smcc360

I've Got An MFA In LEO

Exir

Out of the cradle endlessly rocking

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

DWSTXS

Mr Mojo Risin...

LOG

Lagrangian

goddessofthehunt

Queen of inane tangents.

Steam&Ink

sekrit superhero

Wayne K

Wayne K

PeterL

Chase

It Takes All of Us to End Racism

virginia

New kid, be gentle!