The E-Word

My mother, wrote a very interesting post on the s-word. Unfortunately, her frustration in dealing with a true e-word caused her to be able to write so cleverly about the s-word! In her post she referred to an incident I had with a 5th grade student over the "e-word." So, I thought I'd provide an explanation of that word here.

I teach in Georgia. Several years ago, one of my 5th grade girls came running to me obviously very flustered. I could tell by the way she was coming that she was going to tell on someone! In an indignant voice she said, "Billy called me the e-word!" She was obviously very insulted and very angry, but try as I might, I couldn't think of an e-word. I talked with her several minutes trying to figure out this awful word. I needed to know what horrible word this child used in order to know how to deal with him. Eventually, I said, "Honey, you're going to have to tell me the word so I can talk to Billy." With extreme frustration and a huge sigh, she said, "The E-word! Eeediot!" For those among us without an extreme southern accent, the word is idiot.

This incident provided me with a good private laugh at the time and many years of a good code word to use during frustrating moments!