Page 3 | to think teacher calling kids this is inappropriate?

OWetOne · 2025-11-10T12:56:45+00:00

My child(9) told me their teacher will call a child a wet wipe if the child is 'being a coward' (how my child explained it). My child wasn't offended and told me about it because they thought it was funny, but they obviously have never heard it being used before. I wouldn't want my child calling someone else a wet wipe. Am I being a wet wipe? Or am I right to think this is inappropriate?

Jammington · 12/11/2025 13:10

They've just morphed wet lettuce into wet wipe.

That's it.

ChocolatesAndRainbows · 12/11/2025 13:08

No that’s inappropriate, and a pretty horrible thing to say to a child.

Paganpentacle · 12/11/2025 13:04

lostintranslation148 · 10/11/2025 18:29

Really you can't manage without calling kids 'wet wipes'. I think that's grim and I work in a school. Do you really think it's ok to single out a 'cowardly' child? DS is dyspraxic and really struggled with sports, I would be fuming if a teacher was calling him a wet wipe in front the class at 9 or 14 because he was struggling, it's completely humiliating.

You don't make kids stronger and more resilient by humiliating them in front of other kids, I'm always amazed at how many people on here think that is the case. You do that by building self esteem and making kids feel safe. Even teachers don't have a clue by the seems of it!

I don't know what has throwing chairs and setting fire to the carpet got to do with anything. No one is calling a child a wet wipe because they're fighting and swearing at the teacher. Honestly you're just making yourself sound like a shit teacher.

This isn't a class of 14 year olds that it's being called to as a whole for a bit of silly banter. This is a 9 year old being singled out for supposedly being a 'coward'.

Show quote history

Are you OK?

sleepwouldbenice · 12/11/2025 12:56

AllTheChaos · 12/11/2025 10:46

And yes I know it’s a female teacher, but I would still not be happy with Andrew Tait - type language. DD’s primary school teacher called them all a bunch of horrible toads once when they were all being badly behaved, much more appropriate! (They WERE often a bunch of toads!)

A secondary teacher called my daughter a toad a few times. I introduced myself as Mrs Toad at parents evening just to make the point that possibly they wouldn't use these phrases on adults...

VikaOlson · 12/11/2025 12:54

AllTheChaos · 12/11/2025 12:50

To those laughing at the AT reference, it’s literally the only time I have ever heard the term ‘wet wipe’ used as a derogatory term, ie when referenced in reports on manosphere issues! I have otherwise NEVER heard it used except to refer to the actual cleansing product. We clearly mix in very different circles

Yeah, I think 99.99% of people would not associate it with Andrew Tate.

sleepwouldbenice · 12/11/2025 12:54

Its not the best term to use. There are others that make the point without being demeaning ( being a bit daft, silly Billy, lemon etc)

AllTheChaos · 12/11/2025 12:50

To those laughing at the AT reference, it’s literally the only time I have ever heard the term ‘wet wipe’ used as a derogatory term, ie when referenced in reports on manosphere issues! I have otherwise NEVER heard it used except to refer to the actual cleansing product. We clearly mix in very different circles

HelpMeGetThrough · 12/11/2025 12:25

Catpiece · 10/11/2025 13:22

We were called a bunch of slags at secondary school back in the day.

When I was in the 4th year at secondary (what’s that now, year 10?), form tutor lost it with the class and told us we were nothing more than “a bunch of whining fucking poofs”.

Sparklinggreen · 12/11/2025 11:56

Personally not a big deal for me, children in year 9 call each other all sorts, much worse than wet wipe.

If you are concerned, then as a Pp said, gently raise with the teacher directly and see their response. If there’s now change escalate it as you see fit.

VikaOlson · 12/11/2025 11:41

Andrew Tate language 😂

noblegiraffe · 12/11/2025 11:24

AllTheChaos · 12/11/2025 10:42

I thought it was a phrase from the Andrew Taite ‘manosphere’? Which would make me worry as to what this teacher is doing in terms of being a misogynist

Show quote history

Don’t be silly, the teacher did not get this from Andrew Tate.

AllTheChaos · 12/11/2025 10:46

And yes I know it’s a female teacher, but I would still not be happy with Andrew Tait - type language. DD’s primary school teacher called them all a bunch of horrible toads once when they were all being badly behaved, much more appropriate! (They WERE often a bunch of toads!)

AllTheChaos · 12/11/2025 10:42

catgirl1976 · 10/11/2025 13:02

If a child is upset by being called a wet wipe then they probably ARE a wet wipe. It’s a gentle phrase for being a bit soft …

I thought it was a phrase from the Andrew Taite ‘manosphere’? Which would make me worry as to what this teacher is doing in terms of being a misogynist

ReapersSideKick · 12/11/2025 10:40

Barneybagpuss · 11/11/2025 17:46

Grow up you utter wet wipe

Show quote history

this was reported yesterday why hasnt it been deleted people should be able to debate without being insulted

ReapersSideKick · 11/11/2025 19:33

Barneybagpuss · 11/11/2025 17:46

Grow up you utter wet wipe

Show quote history

Says the person who cant debate without insulting people

Barneybagpuss · 11/11/2025 17:46

ReapersSideKick · 11/11/2025 14:20

not wet wipes at all - wet wipes In slang, "wet wipe" is often used as an insult or derogatory term to describe someone who is considered weak, easily influenced, or lacking in personal resilience. It is a way of belittling an individual by associating them with the fragility and disposable nature of a wet wipe. This derogatory meaning implies that the person being referred to is easily manipulated, unable to stand up for themselves, or unable to handle difficult situations.

Show quote history

Grow up you utter wet wipe

ReapersSideKick · 11/11/2025 14:20

Barneybagpuss · 10/11/2025 21:32

Bunch of permanently offended wet wipes commenting on here

Edited

not wet wipes at all - wet wipes In slang, "wet wipe" is often used as an insult or derogatory term to describe someone who is considered weak, easily influenced, or lacking in personal resilience. It is a way of belittling an individual by associating them with the fragility and disposable nature of a wet wipe. This derogatory meaning implies that the person being referred to is easily manipulated, unable to stand up for themselves, or unable to handle difficult situations.

ReapersSideKick · 11/11/2025 14:17

Hercisback1 · 10/11/2025 19:25

The irony is teachers have to take most things kids say with a good sense of humour!

ive never encountered a teacher that would take that without either telling the student off or giving them detention theres boundaries

lanthanum · 10/11/2025 22:26

UnintentionalArcher · 10/11/2025 19:17

Was she being sarcastic?

Also a secondary school deputy and in my experience sarcasm is used a lot less than it was by my teachers when I was a pupil.

Show quote history

I worked in a school where the handbook said we were not to use sarcasm.
I guess it did make us more careful about where we used it - only where we were 100% certain that it would be understood and taken the right way.

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 10/11/2025 22:12

This is a message via a child too. Half of what kids say is made up, a good half of the rest is misunderstood or misremembered or embellished. You've no idea whether the kids being called wet wipes actually love it as a term of endearment. I'd put money on them really liking it, and the teacher knowing the kids in their class in a different way than their parents know them.

BillyBites · 10/11/2025 22:00

I despair -until I remember that MN is a specialised bubble of society where snowflakes (aka wet wipes) congregate to clutch their pearls and gee each other up to complain about the most ridiculous things.
In real life, my experience is that most people have some common sense.

MrsHamlet · 10/11/2025 21:37

PigglyWigglyOhYeah · 10/11/2025 14:15

I’m going to give up speaking at all to my students. I will display pre-approved slides on the board and press the return button after a requisite number of minutes (carefully calibrated so students who struggle to read the board aren’t struggling, yet those who are as yet undiscovered geniuses won’t be held up). If any of them speak rudely to me, including swearing and threats of physical violence, I shall simply smile gently and incline my head. If the class refuse to wear correct uniform, refuse to sit down quietly, refuse to do the work set, chuck chairs about, fight each other, set fire to the carpet I will personally phone all the parents to tell them it’s my fault and I know I must do better.

Is that the sort of thing parents are after from teaching staff? It’s the impression I get from reading threads like this.

It absolutely is, from what I can see.

BadgernTheGarden · 10/11/2025 21:36

Polly199068 · 10/11/2025 21:30

You’re a wet wipe 😆

You are wood pulp rolled into a thin layer impregnated with aqueous solution and perfume would be more educational I suppose. Except it's probably made of un-compostable plastic threads.

Hercisback1 · 10/11/2025 21:33

ISpyNoPlumPie · 10/11/2025 20:53

I think you’ve gone a bit off topic. Why are you talking about discipline? In what context is calling a child a “wet wipe” a form of discipline? At best it’s gently making fun of someone, at worst it’s trying to ridicule or humiliate someone. Between adults/friends, it’s probably fine, between a teacher and a child, at the very least it sets a poor example. But in reality, it probably makes a more sensitive child feel a little worthless - oh and a lovely name for other kids to call them in the playground too. All endorsed by the teacher.

Do none of the “oh bored mums” “everyone is offended nowadays” crowd teach their kids to not call people names?

Show quote history

How do children ever learn how to have a bit of good natured fun between friends if they don't see adults modelling it? Teachers are some of the most influential adults. Learning the difference between a bit of a joke, and what isn't a joke, is a vital part of growing up. People who can't take a joke, are generally boring and hard work to be around.

Barneybagpuss · 10/11/2025 21:32

Bunch of permanently offended wet wipes commenting on here