Parents try to fire teacher for assigning "niggardly" as a vocabulary word

The Wilmington Star ^ | Sept 1, 2002 | Sherry Jones

[missycocopuffs]

TeeeHeee...now that's cute :)

[Inkie]

George Orwell saw it all 50 years ago. He who controls the language controls men's minds and thus controls the world.

Wake up America.

[Randjuke]

and let's not even go here...
link

[missycocopuffs]

Okay, since we're talking hospitals here...

I once had occasion to take care of a lovely dying man (Let us call him Lucius Jones--and I am making this name up) and his family as a private duty hospice-type nurse. (After I left teaching, I got a degree in nursing) Because this man was not very lucid when I began taking care of him, I learned a lot about him from his daughters.

I learned that this gentleman was a former obstetrician in Detroit during the 1930s-60s. After successfully delivering a bouncing baby girl to one couple in particular (Let us call them Smith--and I'm making this name up, too), there was some conversation involving the word "vagina". (Perhaps the woman's vagina tore and the doctor in question did a fine job righting things--something to that effect)

The couple, pleased that the doctor had acted so swiftly to save the torn organ, promptly decided to name their new baby girl Vagina Lucius Smith....(the names HAVE been changed to protect the innocent)...I couldn't possibly make this stuff up...

[MissL]

It is a word and it means, "cheap", "stingy" and just "greedy"...it has nothing to do with "black" people. If they are offended maybe they need to pick up a dictionary and read...that goes for anyone who does not have a clue no matter the color.

[LikeLight]

My grandfather, a now deceased M.D., always used to tell a story about a baby born in an NYC hospital and given the lovely name "Placenta".

[missycocopuffs]

Okay, now that you've whipped out the OED I'm really impressed...Seriously, this was one of my favorite discoveries after I left my one stoplight town. I'd love to have a subscription: "scrofulous" is one of our favorite family words, and I'd love to have more info in my arsenal so I can one-up my verbal rivals.

I remember "cheating" as an undergraduate on a kooky history/archeology exercise. The premise of the exercise was such that civilization as we know it was about to end and what would we bring to reestablish some semblance of it. IIRC, the exercise was to be a 2-3 page response to the premise. I basically answered: "The Oxford English Dictionary and the Constitution of the United States of America." I didn't do really well in that class.

Regards,
Missycocopuffs

[panther33]

In my world, Ms. Walker would be sentenced to life in prison for exhibiting extreme stupidity and outrageously high levels of sensitivity. She would not be eligible for parole because she has become a part of the politically-correct movement. There. Case closed.

The principal would be fired for not backing up an innocent teacher of hers. Her administrative license or whatever credentials she has would be revoked for a period of five years. Now, I will not declare that she was stupid enough to believe in the ideals of Ms. Walker, since that would result in an extensive jail term. Instead, she would be fined $1500 for not having the backbone to stand up for that which she believes in, and an additional $100,000 (or 1000 hours of what I consider community service, whichever she so chooses) for becoming a part of the politically correct movement. The same goes for the superintendent.

The parents of Ms. Walker would be fined $1000 for giving a human such a stupid name (Akwana?? What the hell??) unless they can convice me that Akwana is a good name.

The teacher would be given a completely free, no-strings-attached trip to any city in the world that she would like to visit. The vacation would include a private jet and limousine, $2500 in spending money, food from the area's best chefs, and various other "necessities." She would also be honored as Panther33's Teacher of the Year for teaching fourth graders adverbs such as "niggardly." I personally know dozens of high school seniors who wouldn't even know what an adverb is (or how to spell "adverb").

Um, let's see... oh, and Mr. Whalen, the parent who was quoted in the article for backing up the teacher, would be given the money received from the $1000 fine imposed on Ms. Walker's parents.

I think that just about does it. Gee, I should become a judge...

P.S. Please don't interpret this post as if I am an arrogant idiot. I am saying this all as if it would happen in my dream world, which I occassionally think about to relieve stress, ease tension, and create a bit of humor for myself.

[hoosierskypilot]

How stupid can people be? This ignorant, back-woods, ill-bred, unsophisticated sorry excuse for a mother ought to invest in a dictionary. Instead, her primary source of information is a 30 minute tv show.

Does she honestly believe she is serving her children by keeping them ignorant? As one who makes a living from words, let me tell you, people judge you by your command of the English language.

Stupid and lazy is no way to go through life, son.

[usadave]

"Common sense tells you not to put a word like that on the board," Ms. Walker said.

Common sense seems to be something that Ms. Walker doesn't possess.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

One of the most odd name I had ever heard was Asseline ( pronounced like Vaseline without the "V"). It's a French surname, I don't know how it became a first name. I've met two women who had that name.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

I like that world. Too bad we're living in the pc correct one.

[freebilly]

William Whalen, whose daughter also is in Ms. Bell's class, said he thinks the situation has been blown out of proportion. Mr. Whalen is white

I'm offended that Mr. Whalen chooses to use a word with such sexual overtones. This word should be banned from the English language!

[freebilly]

UN seeks name change for the countries of Niger and Nigeria, US blacks are offended because it reminds them of other words.

Better change the name of Nicauragua, too....

[freebilly]

I've gotten nasty notes for using the word "coon".

Come October, will some teacher be reprimanded for using the word "spook"?

[per loin]

I am offended by the word "Akwana" being applied to a human being.

[strela]

One of the most odd name I had ever heard was Asseline ( pronounced like Vaseline without the "V").

Don't forget the famous sisters from Texas: Ima and Ura Hogg. Real names, real people.

[The Person]

Thanks for sharing!

[Swordmaker]

"A few days later, Ms. Bell received a letter from Ms. Walker saying the word was not allowed in her house, no matter what it means."

Can I prohibit the word Democrat in my house because I find it offensive??? Perhaps I can sue the newscasters for using it without a warning.

[Looking4Truth]

Here are my additions to your list.

witch, ditch, pitch, Mitch

hit, bit, fit, git(southern speak), mit, nit, wit

duck, luck, muck, tuck

runt, punt, stunt, shunt

I wish it wasn't against the law to slap some of the dumbasses in the world silly for their ignorance.