Awkward Slang Definitions

Guest post by Leah Wellwood from Eating Dirt

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Over the next week or so we will be featuring the work of our three Write NOWW: Web Composition panelists.

Today's post is from Leah Wellwood from Eating Dirt: https://eatingdirt83.wordpress.com/

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Last night, after reading bedtime stories, R1 asked me, “Whats a cock?”

I was a little shocked, but I said, “It’s another word for rooster.”

I wasn’t about to get into the slang meanings right at bedtime so I took the easy way out. 

This kid just learned that some boys (hilariously) call their penis a wiener; we don’t need to move on to cocks just yet.

I added that, “some people use the word cock as an insult so don’t ever let me catch you calling someone a cock, ok?”

Then we talked about the day, talked about the upcoming weekend and March Break, and talked about the story we just read (it was a children’s chapter book of the first Toy Story movie).

Then I told R1 it was time to sleep and we laid quietly beside one another in the dark. 

After a few minutes, R1 quietly asked, “How come they used the word cock in the story?”

What story?!

Toy Story!

What? When? Where?

Buzz Lightyear. The book said he cocked his eyebrow.

Ooooohhhhhh!

Well, in that case, the word cock is used as a verb.  And a verb is an action word.  Buzz moved his eyebrow a certain way (I'm demonstrating) so in other words, he cocked his eyebrow. You can use the word in other ways too. Like, the curious dog cocked his head to the side (demonstrating). Do you understand?

Yes.

Time for sleep now ok?

Yes.

*thirty seconds of silence*

Mom?

Yes?

If I see a rooster walking down the street, can I call him a cock?

Sure. Ok, goodnight now.

Goodnight.

The lesson: If your kid asks you a strange question, ask him for clarification first before you start explaining.  He may just be looking for a grammar and vocabulary lesson as opposed to awkward slang definitions.

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Leah is married to the manager of LU Radio and works as a stay-at-home parent to their three boys. Life is loud and messy but Leah stays sane by writing everything down and taking lots of pictures. Writing a blog is also a fun way to pretend she's using her English degree from Lakehead University.

You can read more about Leah, her boys and her life on her blog: https://eatingdirt83.wordpress.com/