AIBU for the teacher not to use the word Numpty

[Susanne9176]

My son who is 6 used the word numpty and I asked him where he had heard this. He said his class teacher is using this word to describe the children when they've done something a bit silly and has called.h and other children that. Am I over reacting or is that just not ok, she is basically calling them stupid and encouraging the kids to name call

Term of endearment when someone has been daft
As is eejit and Muppet
in the real world obvs
eejit
/ˈiːdʒɪt/
Learn to pronounce
nounINFORMAL•IRISH
a stupid person; an idiot.
"don't stand there like a gormless eejit!"
From Oxford
Ireland is part of the real world.

@Emeraldshamrock in the area I live numpty & eejit are used to describe someone who has done something a bit daft or silly - usually said in an affectionate tone. So wouldn’t be offensive here

A work colleague got disciplined for calling someone a 'fucking numpty', he claims he asked in the meeting with HR if its was the fucking or the numpty that had caused the problem....

I’m Scottish and would class numpty with muppet and daft as slightly stronger than silly sausage but less strong than eejit and not at all like stupid.

If "idiot" is an insult & "eejit" means the same, how is that also not an insult?

Eejit is not the same as idiot, surely? Isn’t it dialect for dingbat/silly sausage...that sort of thing?

It's exactly the same - it's just variant pronunciation and spelling.

I don't use words such as cretin or moron because of their history. I'll rarely use 'idiot' because its history is pretty much identical to that of 'moron'. And don't get me started on people I know who think 'spack' is acceptable so long as it is said jokingly.

And with all that, even I have no objection to 'numpty'. Sure it may be better to address the behaviour, not the person but an exasperated 'you numpty' when someone has done something daft is just so low key I find it impossible to worry about it. And it's infinitely preferable to many alternatives.

To say stop acting the numpty or eejit is one thing, to say you are a numpty or eejit is worse.
Therefore it is a fine line between endearment and an insult depending on the context.

Eejit is not the same as idiot, surely?

Yes of course; eejit came from the Irish pronunciation of idiot.

OP I actually don't think it's ok to use ANY derogatory term when talking about kids intelligence or ability. All these people saying 'numpty' is an affectionate term affectionate for what? Disguising insults as affection is horrible; it's done throughout life and often in abusive relationships, but yeah, sure; leats tech the DC it's ok to do so and have our teachers have a go at the kids!

We don't use any put downs in our house. No one is a numpty/eejit etc. If they do something daft or incorrect they get support and love not a put down. That's awful. I lived though that with one of my step parents and it knocked the confidence right out of me.

😂😂😂 give over

What you prefer he called them? Lighten up

It’s better than idiot or asshole. Much more age appropriate too!

You'd have a case if she used 'cockwomble'.

I agree with you OP. I think a lot of English words should be banned, due to the English language’s links with colonisers.

OP asked a question in a reasonable way, she didn't say she was storming into school to have words with the teacher. Why then are people being bitchy and telling her to grow up?! Pot...kettle...

Well I agree with you. I wouldn't like someone to call my child it.
I know they spend a lot of time with their teachers but don't think it's their place to call them that.

Just you wait till he starts repeating words he's heard in the playground

I call the kids in my classes numpty, muppet and eejit if they’re being silly

Muppet is a term of real contempt where I’m from. Just someone totally incompetent.

Eejit is idiot, someone clueless.

I agree with you OP. I think a lot of English words should be banned, due to the English language’s links with colonisers.

Could we have a list of the words? How would the ban be enforced?

It’s better than idiot or asshole. Much more age appropriate too!

It's not appropriate to call people names - there is no 'age appropriate' name calling. It's just not ok

OP asked a question in a reasonable way, she didn't say she was storming into school to have words with the teacher. Why then are people being bitchy and telling her to grow up?! Pot...kettle...

I agree with this. OP hasn't said she's stood in the car park hurling abuse at the teacher something bothered her and she's come here asking for opinions. It's fine to say "I think you're over reacting" but no need to be rude about it.

Well they are all out downs of one sort or another, aren't they?

Why does a name even have to be used?

Numpty is along the same lines as calling a child a silly sausage.

I can see why teachers are leaving the profession in droves when they have to put up with parents pulling them up on every word out of their mouths.

Well you should know better
Eejit means stupid unless you have a time machine those names were left behind in the 90's
Our teachers used to call us eejits or amadons when they were allowed to be verbally abusive to DC

Eejit is also used as a term of endearment.

I’m really sorry you were verbally abused at school, but it’s not what is happening in my classroom.

Perhaps it’s regional. None of the words I use are remotely offensive.

I can see why teachers are leaving the profession in droves when they have to put up with parents pulling them up on every word out of their mouths.

It's not 'professional' to calm children names. It's horrible.

Why does a name even have to be used?

It’s a gentle way of pointing out daft behaviour- it causes (in my hulking great yr11 lads particularly) a laugh and a “yeah you have reminded me to do X a zillion times, sorry miss” reaction. It enhances rather than detracts from the relationship because they know I like and value them.