"German" and "Latin," came the replies. I put my hand up.
"French," I offered.
"No, that's wrong," he said. "French didn't really add anything to English."
Although I did not know why, precisely, in the sixth grade, I knew I was right. In later years I would think back on that episode and think "Gee, Mr. Latsha, ever heard of 1066? Battle of Hastings? Any of this a-ringin' a bell?!?"