How to "start" a word

Sun May 8 14:28:16 UTC 2005

We have a question over at Straight Dope http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=315563
asking about the old story of the bet that someone could make up a word, and by the next day it would be all over town.  It supposedly invololved the word "quiz." 

If anyone wishes to reply over there(you have to register), I'd appreciate it.  If you would rather, just put the answer here and I'll do it and give credit, as I usually do.

Sam Clements