Some people collect bobbleheads; writers such as Peter Mehlman collect words and put them in the appropriate characters’ mouths. I can tell you a few words that you’ll recognize instantly as being branded by the TV show where Mehlman made them famous: Seinfeld. • Who could forget the episode when Elaine began deciding which particular suitors of her affections might be “spongeworthy”? • Or when George said “yada-yada” for the first time? • Or—George again—being accused of “double-dipping” his chips at a party? That’s right—those and many more came from the collectible mind of Peter Mehlman. Mehlman the Giraffe in the 'Madagascar' animated films was named after 'Seinfeld' writer Peter Melman PETER MEHLMAN audio excerpt: "I was in New York after the 'Spongeworthy' episode. I was at dinner with my parents. The next table was talking about The Sponge. They had some of their facts wrong... and I corrected them as if I some fanatical fan of the show."  Mehlman started his career writing for the late ABC sportscaster Howard Cosell. When he moved from New York to Los Angeles in 1989, he ran into Larry David, who he knew from New York, and a big, fat opportunity landed at his feet, yada-yada. His new book, Mandela Was Late: Odd things & essays from the Seinfeld writer who coined yada, yada and made spongeworthy a compliment, is now available as an ebook from Amazon.com. Peter Mehlman • • • •