Language choice--specifically word choice--is an important topic on a basic communication or public speaking course. One sub-topic under "Language" involves understanding the difference between denotation and connotation. Denotation refers to a word's definition, while connotation refers to the emotions associated with the word. Speakers need to choose words carefully because some words may have positive or negative connotations associated with them. Quite often, a word's connotation may have little to do with its denotation or definition. This article describes an exercise that puts a fun spin on learning the concepts of denotation and connotation in a public speaking or basic communication course. Using Johnny Cash's song "A Boy Named Sue," it illustrates how a word's connotation is usually different from its denotation, and how carefully one must choose words in a speech because of the real possibility of audience misinterpretation.