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

@CallmeAngelina

WTF? Bet you're a bundle of fun to be around!

Just because I disagree with the majority in this issue doesn't mean I'm miserable all day long

My kids always found it amusing when their primary teachers insulted them, good naturedly or not. I suppose they found it weirdly kind of thrilling, like being brought into an adult world.

@SmileEachDay

What qualifies you to define the teacher/child relationship?

Nothing. I wasn't defining anything. It's just my own personal thoughts. I don't like the idea, that's all.

I don't like the idea, that's all

Why not?

I think it’s a great way to model using humour to deal with potentially frustrating situations - rather than being cross. I’m honestly totally baffled about why you don’t think that’s ok?

@SmileEachDay

Why not?

I covered that this morning!

I think it’s a great way to model using humour to deal with potentially frustrating situations - rather than being cross. I’m honestly totally baffled about why you don’t think that’s ok?

You are baffled that someone doesn't think the same as you? Seriously? No flexibility in your mind at all?

I have already said, it's just an opinion, in the same way that everyone else has one. No right or wrong. No need to be 'baffled'

You are baffled that someone doesn't think the same as you? Seriously? No flexibility in your mind at all?

Somewhat snippy!! Or perhaps you were being a bit sarcastic? That’s another way of dealing with frustrating situations.

I think earlier in the thread you were talking about “name calling” and put downs. (I think?)

That’s not what is happening and given that I’m struggling struggling to see the issue. It’s interesting, is all.

I use flibbertgibbet and prannying around a lot in my class. Also pratting about and flannying around. Because I need to let my mental swears out somehow. How else is a human meant to respond to the 50th request to sharpen a pencil ( to avoid fractions ) politely? I also say "Oh Cupcake!"

Teachers - being human since forever and just getting on with it delivering all the learning and stuff while probably offending a parent.

@SmileEachDay

Sorry didn't mean to be snippy.

Oh Cupcake

That’s a good one. I sometimes say “what a pudding”

snowybaubles my point was that from what you were saying about not thinking teacher should tease students at all (which is not necessarily the same as calling the names) I would suspect that you would have to make hundreds of complaints about your children’s teachers.
But maybe you don’t really agree with it but wouldn’t feel strongly enough to challenge the school or maybe your children wouldn’t mention it to you knowing you feel strongly about it.

I guess the difference in opinion comes from how you see the word numpty. If you see it as negative,a put down etc you will never agree to it being used with your child. If you see it as a harmless ,funny and endearing way to deal with a silly mistake then it's hard to understand why would people object so strongly to it.

I call my kids and colleagues numpties all the time and no one has ever complained

@Smileyaxolotl1

Just to be clear. I have NEVER complained savour any of my SC's teachers. Ever. My kids have had/are having a bloody fabulous education.

Yes I'm saying I agreed with OP that it wasn't right to do that; but that's where it ends. I don't go into school constantly making complaints about the teachers.

Oh and of course my kids are not scared to tell me things. They literally have no idea of an opinion I posted on Mumsnet today. Like I have said we are all about the positive here, I'm not sitting bitching about anything in front of my kids.

Crikey you are a ridiculous numpty

I'm surprised at the responses. Numpty isn't a word I use but I don't think it's a word that has the same register as silly sausage or something. I have definitely heard adults use it of other adults, sometimes affectionately, but also sometimes not (eg "ugh, Gary's messed this up, he's a proper numpty"). I think it means the same as idiot - which might be used jokingly among older children or adults but also might be used seriously as an insult. I wouldn't complain, but it wouldn't sit well with me knowing a teacher used it either.

Mate it depends where you are?

I have never had a single child complain or be upset at the way I manage my classes. Part of what I do is form strong positive relationships. Part of it is consistent, firm rules. Part of it is having fun together and - yes - mild teasing
I agree.

Before I started my maternity leave some of them were joking about me not fitting through the door / not being able to reach my toes.
Clearly we mustn't have positive relationships and I should report the lot of them for being belittling and rude.

Halfwit is the same as numpty where I'm from

I'm completely astounded by that.
Halfwit = somebody who only has half their wits = someone stupid. It means feeble minded. Synonyms suggested by google - simpleton, imbecile, foolish.
Can't see how that can be interpreted as affectionate really. And certainly not for a teacher to say as a child.
I'm a teacher and I'd be in trouble even for calling a child an idiot - halfwit has got to be worse than that.

Gosh there are some highly strung people around.

I use the word numpty at secondary if a student has done something a bit silly, like written on the wrong page or said 3x3=6.

I still remember the mum who complained at parents evening I'd called her child a div. I was until I realised I'd been speaking to a sixth former at the door, called them a div for writing something very silly. I wouldn't say that to a student I didn't have a very good relationship with.

Actually, I've just looked up numpty and I'm starting to change my mind on that being okay too. I always assumed it came from humpty dumpty and being clumsy but apparently it's a shortening of numbskull or numps - both obsolete words for stupid people.

So, although it's colloquially seen as being as mild as silly sausage, it's origins put it alongside idiot and terms that derive from vocabulary linked to disabilities. Not so sure it is okay now.

If you object to numpty, surely you must also object to silly?

😂 Yes Lola to the jokes when you're pregnant. Especially when you accidentally "bump" them because the classroom is so small and the bump is so huge!

Humour and gentle teasing are part of human relationships and a good coping strategy in various situations. Students that can't take a joke soon become isolated from their peers.

I'm completely astounded by that.
Halfwit = somebody who only has half their wits = someone stupid. It means feeble minded. Synonyms suggested by google - simpleton, imbecile, foolish.
Can't see how that can be interpreted as affectionate really. And certainly not for a teacher to say as a child.
I'm a teacher and I'd be in trouble even for calling a child an idiot - halfwit has got to be worse than that.

Other synonyms include numpty, eejit and divvy.
It's not something I would expect a teacher to say either but it's not a word I would be offended by. For me halfwit is a joke word, it is the same as numpty.

it's origins put it alongside idiot and terms that derive from vocabulary linked to disabilities

Loads of words change their meaning.

Gay, dick, Fanny, it’s how language evolves