Idioms

My mother is about to leave the house.

"See you in awhile, alligator," she says.

"No, no," I say. "You mean see you later."

"What?"

"See you later, alligator."

She stares at me.

"It rhymes, Mom. Later, alligator. In awhile, crocodile?"

She pauses.

"Okay, I'll see you in a bit, alligator," she says as she walks out the door.