Is there a non homophobic definition of the word bent that me & Ds may be unaware of before I complain to school?

[Balletgirlmum]

Not very happy. Having various problems at school. Ds displays clear traits of asd but not being given reasonable adjustments. Also bullying happening.

Today in PE he was straitening the long jump measuring tape. Teacher asked what hecwas doing.

I'm straitening the tape cause it's bent.

Teacher replied - the only bent thing here is you.

Ds is not gay (he's only 12) but we have several family friends who are & older dd has lots of classmates at another schools who identify as lgbt.

AIBU to think that this isn't on?

"local colloquial connotations"

It's not a "local colloquial connotation" it's one of the standard meanings of the word.

It is not a localised thing!! Seriously, teenagers use this all the time. Teachers do know it, and hear it, but not enough challenge it. As is clear on here .

Bent/ Bender has been a slur since I was at school 30 years ago. I've lived in London, Wiltshire,Devon, Portsmouth- means dodgy ( bent as a nine bob note)

He's a secondary school teacher of COURSE he knew what he was saying.

** means dodgy AND gay

So many psychic people able to read the mind of a total stranger.

Or so many people wanting to think the worst of a teacher. Sad, really.

It's not a "local colloquial connotation" it's one of the standard meanings of the word.

Not where I live (North Scotland), nor in other parts of the UK. Just asked my teenage niece - she says it means sly. DD1 (Midlands) says gay. Random, tiny frame of reference, I know.

My point is the teacher would have known the meaning attached to it, just as a teacher here may mean something different. OP asked if there is a non homophobic definition. I'd say there is. However, it's always an insult.

I think it's 'sad' that SOME teachers are STILL using derogatory language towards pupils yet there are still people who refuse to believe teachers can do no wrong .

Yes, I agree, it's not a positive word, is it?

I am a teacher apostrophe. We do ourselves no favours when we try to explain away inexcusable behaviour.

He was hardly going to be straightening the long jump tape rigidly upright. I'm sorry if your son was upset, but I would undoubtedly have said that in the context of him being bent over, fiddling with something he shouldn't have been fiddling with. The teacher used the word correctly.

This isn't about "teachers can do no wrong"

It's about "You can't say anything nowadays-it's political correctness gone mad- you're just looking for something to be offended by".

Jesus, your poor son. Hope he's not too upset and regardless of what pathetic excuse the teacher comes up with to explain his comment, it has handed the bullying boys in his class something else to torment him with, I.e. Even sir thinks you're gay. I'd be speaking to the principal right now.

Mint- exactly. I complained when a teacher called my son an idiot. NOT about them telling him off ,but calling names in front of others isn't on at all as it gives other kids permission to do the same.

Emochild are you who I think you might be?

Don't think so?

Apostrophesmatter if I respond to your comment by saying 'the only sad thing around here is you' do you need to be psychic to know I'm insulting you?

No you don't. And 'sad' certainly doesn't have the additional connotations of 'bent'.

There are loads of teachers on this thread pointing out that teachers are just people - some good, some not so good, some homophobic arseholes. They have professional standards to uphold and insulting pupils isn't part of that. I'm one of those teachers.

Apostrophesmatter if I respond to your comment by saying 'the only sad thing around here is you' do you need to be psychic to know I'm insulting you?

Exactly; you are unlikely to think 'ooh she mean not happy'

I'm a teacher as well, Mypockets. So perfectly aware that you were trying to insult me, although it was rather badly phrased so I had to read it twice.

To me bent means dodgy, maybe a regional difference, but slang for gay is not what springs to mind.

Ask some of your pupils tomorrow, then.

Yes, call them bent and see what they say then the following day you can ask their parents what they think too because they'll be hammering at your door!!

Yes, call them bent and see what they say then the following day you can ask their parents what they think too because they'll be hammering at your door!!hmm

You have an overactive imagination. Parents in these parts are civilised and certainly wouldn't behave as you suggest. I wouldn't call the DCs bent because they aren't dishonest. What an odd suggestion.

I'm not a teacher but, when I was at school there were always some teachers who were happy to make a stupid comment to the more vulnerable pupils to make the rest of the class laugh.

This PE teacher sounds like them. Pathetic.

I'd absolutely complain to the school. If they come back and say it wasn't homophobic, it was still either nasty or stupid. He deserves to squirm while he tries to explain which one of those he is.

Apostrophes- ask your pupils tomorrow what "bent" means.

Apostrophes, please to God tell me you're not an English teacher.