"A Token of Air and Steam"

For weeks I've been overhearing this phrase as the boys play, whether they're building with Legos, drawing pictures or playing dress-up.

"Here, it's a token of air and steam."

"Do you have the token of air and steam?"

"Let's go find the token of air and steam."

And for the life of me I didn't know what it meant or where it was coming from. Finally I asked Wade, "do you have any idea what they're talking about, this 'token of air and steam' business?"

Wade didn't miss a beat. "It's 'a token of our esteem,'" he said.

Oooooohhhhh, now I get it. I still don't know where they heard it, but it all becomes clear. The funny part to me now is that they really think that these "tokens," whatever they are, have air and steam in them. Now it just cracks me up every time.