Last week was spring break. Since I write my posts a week in advance, that means that this week I'm kind of short on topics. So, time for the summer schedule, which means today is #ThrowbackThursday. This post originally appeared December 9, 2008.
There were a lot of new faces at the continuation high school today. I heard the office staff talking about how they had booted a bunch of the "super seniors" (5th year seniors) in the past couple days, so that's probably why. Now I have new names to learn.
A knot of students were having the usual sort of conversations that they tend to have when I'm there. Unfortunately, most of the time their sentences are laced with profanity. I try to curb it as much as I can, so when they started using that racial epitaph that starts with "N", I made my displeasure known.
The boys had known me for some time, so they complied with my request. They used "ninja" instead.
The first boy then explains to another student: "It's like saying 'close the front door'."
Well, the phrase he was looking for was "shut the front door". They say that instead of shut the f*** up. The other students knew this and called the boy on his mistake. But he denied using "close" instead of "shut". I was waiting for the conversation to get heated, but it didn't. They quickly moved on to other topics.
Ninja? Well, at least it's a step in the right direction.
Do you participate in #ThrowbackThursday? Have you ever used "shut the front door"? What's one memorable mix-up you've uttered among friends or otherwise?
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Ninja is certainly better!
ReplyDeleteI know I've said shut the front door before, and went and literally shut the front door when said to me. :)
ReplyDeleteI am appalled at the language young kids are using these days. My mom certainly washed our mouths out many a time with lye soap! That will put a stop to the cursing pretty fast
ReplyDeleteOh, if only we could...
DeleteA guy was told to shut the front door once at work and he didn't know what it meant as he went to close the front door which was ajar. It was a humorous moment. Its good that you have chosen to get the kids to choose different words.
ReplyDeleteSean at His and Her Hobbies
Ninja? If it's just a placeholder and everyone knows he's making a racist statement, though, not much help! But I've always heard "shut the front door" in a fun way, as a different way of saying, "You have to be kidding me." "Shut the front door...you really won the lottery?"
ReplyDeleteThe students in question were African-American, and they were using it the rapper way, kind of like "dude". Like, "Dude, you're kidding." Except it was, Ninja, you trippin'."
DeleteDefinitely ninja is better than the alternative. I liked the term super seniors. Do they ever graduate?
ReplyDeletebetty
Some do. Some don't.
DeleteMaybe ninja will catch on. Definitely better than the alternative!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that they accommodated you by changing the language.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
Yes, it was nice of them.
DeleteI crack an absolute mental if I hear my students say anything racist. Swearing... I'll chip them about but racist... they get sent to the office immediately. Good on you for bringing it to a stop Liz.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't being used in a racist manner. If it had been, I would have had a whole different reaction. What they were doing was tantamount to swearing.
DeleteI have never heard the phrase "shut the front door". It could be because I live in the Midwest and we are years and years behind. Glad that your students show you respect!
ReplyDeleteI liked it how they substituted those words with an alternative..but yes they should be made aware that racism in any form is not good. I think you are doing a good job there :)
ReplyDeleteSince the schools are so racially diverse, we don't really have the big racism problems. More of an awareness and sometimes a conversation about differences. I'm sure it's there under the surface, though.
DeleteIt's great that they know and respect you enough to change their vernacular. We hate it when the movie clerk says, "Enjoy the movie," and we say you, too, but they aren't going to see a movie. D'oh!
ReplyDeleteScribbles From Jenn - Visiting from the A to Z Challenge
It just comes out without us thinking about it, right?
DeleteI had never heard of "shut the front door" before. I don't know if it's because I'm British and it's not used over here or because I'm getting on a bit and a lot of this type of language has passed me by! I like it and I'm going to start using it to my young nephews and nieces - that'll make 'em sit up and take notice!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you interrupted their unconscious language patterns at least
ReplyDeletezannierose A-Z visitor
For one period, at least...
DeleteWhy must teenagers some times have the worst language?? I use shut the front door, but honestly, I didn't know it was a replacement for that! :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's evolved since then. When I wrote this initially, it seemed like that's what it was replacing. But as with all things, the longer something's around, the more uses it gets put to.
DeleteThis is a controversial topic that has been debated a lot. Young African Americans taking control of the N word apparently diffuses its power. And don’t they have that right? Especially with a word that has such a strong historical demoralizing connotation. But I understand, in a school setting there has to be boundaries.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know, the old saying “sticks and stones…” not true. Words can be hurtful.
I am not a prude by any means and I can use, shall we say, colourful language but never the N word and I don't think much when people have the swear words in every other word. There is no need for that. I never have said Shut the front door but I have used Sugar many times. My mom in law, when really angry used to say "Sugar of a beehive Christmas Tree" :)
ReplyDelete"Shut the front door" is just fun to say. :P
ReplyDeleteI've never like the use of the N word. By anyone. I think it should be gone (banned) all together. Ninja is definitely a much better word to use.
I agree.
DeleteNinja is a fantastic replacement! I hope it catches on :)
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here:
ClarabelleRant
Yeah, that would be nice.
DeleteNinja is a pretty awesome substitute word.
ReplyDeleteMy parents had to get my Grampy to adjust his language when I was a tot. I suddenly started saying 'burglar it' when things weren't going the way I wanted them to. I was attempting to copy his 'bugger it', hehe.
The other day students were discussing relatives that deliberately taught inappropriate language to younger kids. *shakes head*
Delete