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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Yr 1 Phonics Test - inappropriate word?!

47 replies

PrettyPenguin · 24/04/2015 22:22

I'm a bit Shock at the practise questions - which I presuming were downloaded from DfE or wherever it is they come from - that my daughter brought home this week.

There are real words mixed in with made up words (to test the child's grasp of phonics). The made up words all have little pictures of aliens/monsters next to them. Apparently 'thigh' is a made up word Hmm

But the biggest shocker is the inclusion of the word 'quim' in the made up words!!!! I suppose I ought to be glad it wasn't 'twat' or 'cunt' but still...

AIBU or should I mention this to the teacher/head?

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ElizabethHoover · 24/04/2015 22:24
Hmm
KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 24/04/2015 22:25

Is quim not a made up word?

How do they define a made up word? New words are invented constantly...

almapudden · 24/04/2015 22:26

Quim is a mediaeval word for 'cunt' fell out of use around the end of the 17th century.

WhirlpoolGalaxyM51 · 24/04/2015 22:27

quim has meant female genitals for quite a while around here, I've always known it!

NorksWar · 24/04/2015 22:27

I'd mention it!

WhirlpoolGalaxyM51 · 24/04/2015 22:28

& xpost I don't live in the 17th century Grin

PrettyPenguin · 24/04/2015 22:29

I've always known it too. It's in the OED so it's a real word...it's certainly a much politer sounding name than cunt or twat but still not one I really want my 5 year old reading!

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pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 24/04/2015 22:29

Would surely be more shocking if it was included as a real word, not an "alien" word?!

No, I don't think you should mention it to the head. The chn aren't going to remember the pseudo-words, let alone look up medieval definitions and proceed to use them.

OrlandoWoolf · 24/04/2015 22:30

I suspect a child isn't going to know that. Let alone many adults.

You could mention it to the DFE.

FarFromAnyRoad · 24/04/2015 22:31

It's only something if you make it something. You alone could be responsible for a contemporary revival of an old word. And we'll all know it was you. Grin

PrettyPenguin · 24/04/2015 22:31

Having said that - it's a useful word to know when playing Scrabble! I think that might have been how I first came across it.

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PrettyPenguin · 24/04/2015 22:35

Loads of people I know know the word too, it's not just me Grin

Orlando I doubt a child would know the meaning of or have heard the words 'shag' 'wank' or 'bollocks' either but that doesn't mean that it's OK to include them in a reading test!

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DoADittyBingBangBell · 24/04/2015 22:35

Oh gosh! I noticed that last year but thought I must be mistaken at the meaning of the word-even more so when I mentioned it to dp and he looked at me liked I'd gone barmy! Not sure if I'd mention it to the school or not to be honest I think they are standardised tests across the country aren't they?

CloserToFiftyThanTwenty · 24/04/2015 22:36

Oh, haven't heard the word "quim" for ages! Grin

OrlandoWoolf · 24/04/2015 22:44

pretty

I have never heard anyone use that word. Ever.

I have heard plenty of people use shag, wank etc.

WhirlpoolGalaxyM51 · 24/04/2015 22:47

Lots of other people have heard it and do use it though!

Just because you don't know it doesn't mean it's in general usage! Could be something to do with where people live, I imagine.

Anyway , just asked DH "what does quim mean" and he said "it's a word for vagina" quick as a flash Grin

Totality22 · 24/04/2015 22:49

I'm more shocked that thigh is not a "real" word? Or did I misread?

OrlandoWoolf · 24/04/2015 22:49

Is it a "rude" word?

Or just a word for a vagina?

Like penis and cock? They learn the word penis but I doubt they learn cock.

And I doubt they learn the word cunt at school. Except on the playground

PrettyPenguin · 24/04/2015 22:50

No, you didn't misread Totality - the word 'thigh' was one of the words that was supposedly a made up word!

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PrettyPenguin · 24/04/2015 22:51

It's vulgar slang, so similar to cunt and cock

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OrlandoWoolf · 24/04/2015 22:54

Well, everyday's a school day on MN.

Adds quim to scrabble words.

raffle · 24/04/2015 22:54

That is a rudie word for sure!

However, I would just snigger to myself, I wouldn't mention it to the school.

WhirlpoolGalaxyM51 · 24/04/2015 22:57

YY definitely rude.

OrlandoWoolf · 24/04/2015 23:06

Look what I found in a school's plans for last year.

Google is your friend or not..

Play countdown with previously learnt letters and small words.
Boys v Girls just thought I'd highlight that
Up to double letters

Revise qu. Sing song. Quick read real and pseudo words quick, quiz, quit, quim, quog, quab

Off to do more Googling Grin

PrettyPenguin · 24/04/2015 23:08
Grin
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